The Biden administration’s decision to include Cyprus in three defence programmes, just days before handing over the presidency to President-elect Donald Trump, has sparked reactions in Turkey.
The official Anadolu news agency, under the headline “US’ Biden issues directive approving Greek Cypriot administration’s purchase of military equipment,” reported that the directive allows what it referred to as the “Greek Cypriot administration” to receive “defence products and services” from the US under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
The pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak described the move as a “scandalous decision by Biden against Turkey,” labelling it a “very dangerous directive for Cyprus.”
The opposition website Oda Tv, in an article titled “Weapons directive for Southern Cyprus… A trap for Turkey,” stated that this development is seen as a significant step for the “Greek Cypriot Administration” following the lifting of the US arms embargo, which had been in place until 2020.
The opposition-affiliated Halk TV website also referred to the decision as “Biden’s scandalous decision on Cyprus.”
Photo source: stratfor
Also read: Biden declaration grants Cyprus access to 3 major US military programmes
Source: CNA
