Turkey plans to increase its military presence in Northern Cyprus and "deliver the necessary weapons to protect the Turkish Cypriots there," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said today, quoted by Anadolu Agency and BTA.

Even if the whole world stands in our way, Turkey will not deviate from its position and will defend its interests in Cyprus, as well as in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, Cavusoglu said.

Turkey has condemned the US decision to lift the arms embargo on Cyprus

He criticized the United States' decision to lift arms trade restrictions with Cyprus.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said yesterday that Turkey would increase its military presence in Northern Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided into two parts since 1974, when the Turkish army invaded the north of the island in response to a coup d'état aimed at annexing Cyprus to Greece.

In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is not recognized by any other country except Turkey, was unilaterally proclaimed in the northern part of the island.

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