Turkey to establish naval base in north Cyprus

Turkey has given the go-ahead for the establishment of a naval base and an airbase north Cyprus in order to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and to guarantee the sovereign rights of the TRNC.”

This is according to a report by Turkish newspaper Aydinlik on Monday. 

According to the report, Turkish retired Rear Admiral Ilker Guven said Turkey will establish a naval base in Iskele, near Famagusta.

A Turkish naval base is being established in the TRNC. Commander of the Turkish naval forces Admiral Adnan Ozbal inspected it in person on November 15th. An air base will also be established there. In my opinion, this came very late, however it is a geopolitical necessity, Guven said.

Under the title “Turkey is establishing a naval base in Cyprus”, Turkish daily Aydinlik on Monday wrote that “Turkey decided to establish a modern naval base in Cyprus in order to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and to guarantee the sovereign rights of the TRNC.”

According to the paper, the Turkish Naval Command submitted a proposal to Turkey’s Foreign Minister for the establishment of a sovereign naval base in Iskele (Trikomo) last August. The modern naval base will be built on an area of approximately 280 thousand acres.

If build it will be able to host frigates, corvettes, submarines and helicopters. The Commander of the Turkish naval forces Admiral Adnan Ozbal scouted the area during his visit to Cyprus on November 15th.

Moreover, the paper reported that Admiral Ozbal raised this issue during his meeting with Mustafa Akinci. A mutual understanding had been reached and an agreement between Turkey and the TRNC would be signed within 2019.

 

SOURCECNA