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Çelik: Cyprus issue 'cannot be solved with arms race'

Published February 9, 2026, 17:14
Çelik: Cyprus issue 'cannot be solved with arms race'

Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling AKP party, stated that the Cyprus issue cannot be resolved through an arms race or by turning the region into a military outpost for third countries. He argued that the Greek Cypriot side is seeking to invite countries with which Turkey has tensions and increase its military spending. Celik emphasized that Turkey supports the cause of Turkish Cypriots and desires the resolution of problems through diplomacy. He also referred to the upcoming visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Ankara, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen diplomacy.