ANKARA, 7 October – RIA Novosti. Turkey has deployed offensive unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the northern part of Cyprus, does not exclude new weapons deliveries to the island, declaration President Tayyip Erdogan.

Anadolu said, “Turkey has deployed UAVs, including drones, in northern Cyprus. I do not exclude the delivery of new weapons to the island. This is our right. We must fully secure the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in all aspects.” The news agency quoted the Turkish leader’s words.

According to him, this was Turkey’s first reaction to the US decision to lift the arms embargo on Cyprus.

Erdogan also commented on the possibility of establishing a new Turkish military base on the Karpaz Peninsula in northern Cyprus. He pointed out that the planes of the Turkish Air Force departing from Turkey today will be able to reach the island as soon as possible, regardless of the decision to establish a military base.

“There’s nothing wrong with that either,” he assured.

The Turkish leader talked about the Greek Cypriot leader’s attempt to hold bilateral talks.

“Nikos Anastasiades insisted on bilateral talks (in Prague). He even included the mediators. I said that his term of office would end in two months. In such a case, this issue is indisputable. I also noted that they (Nicosia) are constantly acting on someone’s orders. And things aren’t done that way and they don’t go where they want to go,” he said.

Cyprus has been de facto divided between the Greek and Turkish communities since 1974, following a coup in Cyprus and an armed invasion by Turkey provoked by an attempt to annex the island to Greece. In 1983, 37% of the island lands, where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared, was occupied. Only Turkey recognized this.