During the attacks launched by Iran against Israel, Cyprus once again found itself drawn into the tension by being used by Britain as an “aircraft carrier“, with RAF Typhoons taking off from RAF Akrotiri to defend Israel, Yeniduzen reports.
In response to the events, the government in South Cyprus convened the National Security Council on Sunday morning to evaluate the discussions held with European Foreign Ministers and the President of the European Council. It was announced that Cypriot Greek leader Nikos Christodoulides would meet with European leaders in Brussels on Wednesday, emphasising a state of alert.
Meanwhile, in the north, a “high-level meeting” took place in the afternoon. Speaking after the meeting, Ersin Tatar reassured the people, saying, “Our people should rest assured“, and conveyed the message, “Turkey will protect us“.
President Ersin Tatar chaired the high-level meeting at the Presidency on Sunday to evaluate the developments in the region, Kibris Postasi reports.
The meeting was attended by the Republic of Turkey Ambassador to Nicosia Metin Feyzioğlu, Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Commander Major General Sebahattin Kılınç, Security Forces Commander Major General Osman Aytaç, Deputy Prime Minister.Fikri Ataoğlu , Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı , Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu , Presidential Undersecretary Okan Donangil and Presidential Special Representative Güneş Onar.
President Tatar, after the meeting, made a statement to the press together with the Republic of Turkey Ambassador to Nicosia Feyzioğlu.
Feyzioğlu, who took the first floor, stated that upon Tatar’s invitation, a high-level meeting was held regarding the latest developments.
Stating that the security of the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriots belongs to the Republic of Turkey within the framework of the Constitution and international law, Feyzioğlu wanted the Turkish Cypriot people to be comfortable and emphasised that the guarantor country, the Republic of Turkey, stands by the TRNC as an unconditional ally and is the guarantee of peace and tranquility in the entire region.
President Tatar also said that the developments were evaluated at the meeting where the tensions in the region in recent days and especially Saturday evening’s events were discussed.
Tatar stated that the Republic of Turkey is the most powerful country in the region and as a guarantor, it always stands by the TRNC and Turkish Cypriot people with all its resources.
Tatar stated that at the meeting attended by the Republic of Turkey’s Ambassador to Nicosia and the Commanders, they received information that the region is monitored at all times and that Turkey is working for the peace and security of the region with its superior capabilities, and asked the public not to worry.
Hoping that the tension in the region would decrease, Tatar emphasised the efforts of the Republic of Turkey to ensure peace, tranquility and security in the region.