Ertugruloglu criticizes Cyprus-Israel cooperation and warns of future consequences

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), has labeled the security and political cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel as a 'dirty alliance' directed against the Turkish side. In a recent interview with the Turkish newspaper Sabah, he warned that the Greek Cypriot side would deeply regret these actions in the near future. Ertugruloglu argued that such cooperation creates geopolitical instability and likened the interests of the two states to historical expansionist goals. He also praised the increased military presence of Turkey in the north, including the deployment of F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems, as a measure that boosts the security of the Turkish Cypriot population. The official emphasized that the security of the TRNC is entirely dependent on support from Ankara. Furthermore, he claimed that rational actions by Turkey and the northern administration have effectively countered maneuvers by the Republic of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. Similar rhetoric regarding security concerns has also been expressed by the TRNC 'prime minister', Unal Ustel, in relation to the SOFA agreement.