The Turkish National Defence Ministry has expressed its desire to transform the Aegean into a sea of friendship between Türkiye and Greece.

It added that a solution based on two sovereign, equal and independent states was the only option in Cyprus.

The Turkish National Defence Ministry touched upon the Cyprus issue during a briefing it held on Tuesday.

Turkish National Defence Ministry Press, Public Relations and Promotion Officer Lieutenant Burcu Naliç Yokuva said that the Turkish Armed Forces continued to protect the rights and benefits of both Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Yokuva also noted that despite Türkiye’s policy of good neighbourhood relations, its good will and sincere approach resulting from the spirit of the NATO alliance; Greece continued to take provocative and illegal actions that raised tensions in the area.

It said that Athens left all calls for dialogue unanswered and continued with its baseless accusations.

Referring to the 953 Greek violations of demilitarized islands in 2022, she said 316 of these violations were carried out by the Greek Navy, 637 by the Greek Air Force.

Pointing out that 73 illegal visits had been carried out to the islands in the Aegean, Yokuva said the Greek Deputy Defence Minister had paid 24 of these visits by himself.

Yokuva added that necessary initiatives had been launched through diplomatic channels against these violations and visits, with appropriate responses given.

She expressed Türkiye’s desire that the Aegean Sea becomes a sea of friendship between Türkiye and Greece adding that a two-state solution based on sovereign equality was the only settlement option in Cyprus.