Cypriot Defense Minister comments on Turkey's new defense agreement

On August 9, 2026, Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas addressed Turkey's recently signed defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Speaking at a memorial service in Pachyammos for those fallen during the 1964 Tillyria battles, Palmas acknowledged Turkey's sovereign right to enter into international alliances, similar to the agreements established by the Republic of Cyprus with its own allies. He noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has characterized the pact as an open defensive framework that could potentially include other states in the future.

Despite acknowledging the diplomatic nature of the pact, Minister Palmas strongly criticized Turkey, arguing that it lacks the moral standing to lecture the international community on peace and stability. He highlighted that Turkey continues to maintain an illegal military presence in Cyprus, which has persisted for 52 years. The Minister underscored that these actions represent a flagrant violation of international law, contrasting Turkey's regional behavior with its rhetoric regarding global security.