Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Ahead of Friday's crucial meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar issued new threats against Nicosia Thursday, saying that no one should "test our strength, our force, as the price will be heavy."

In a further escalation of tensions with Cyprus, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has ruled out any possibility that Ankara will give up its guarantor status on the island and said that it will continue its illegal drilling activities there.
Turkey, Akar said, is a guarantor power on Cyprus and "will continue to use this right as it has in the past."

The Turkish Cypriot government is speeding up efforts to turn Varosha, which has remained abandoned and uninhabited for 45 years, into a major tourist destination.

In an address to Greek soldiers stationed on Cyprus on Tuesday, on the second day of an official visit, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared "any transgressive behavior" against Cyprus would not go unanswered.

"We live in a turbulent time, full of challenges and instability," Mitsotakis said in a speech at the Malounda army camp of the Hellenic Forces in Cyprus (ELDYK).

The Turkish Cypriot foreign minister said on July 29 the Greek premier should not forget that Turkish military presence in Cyprus is because of a coup and an invasion attempt by Greece in the island.

Turkish army will never hesitate to take the same step as 45 years ago "if needed for the lives and security of Turkish Cypriots," Turkey's president said on July 20.

A woman lays a flower during a memorial service on Saturday for the soldiers who lost their lives in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, held annually at the Tymvos Makedonitissa military cemetery in Nicosia. The ceremony was attended Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos. [Katia Christodoulou/ANA-MPA] 

With Cyprus marking 45 years since Turkey invaded and occupied its northern part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck a provocative tone on Saturday, saying that his country's army would do the same today "if needed."

With Cyprus marking 45 years since Turkey invaded and occupied its northern part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck a provocative tone on Saturday, saying that his country's army would to do the same today "if needed."

Greece's new defense minister says Turkey's illegal gas drilling off Cyprus is testing the European Union's credibility as a guardian of its members' energy interests in the Mediterranean.