Erdoğan: If Necessary, We Will Establish a Naval Base in TRNC

During a discussion about the issue, Erdoğan said, "If necessary, we will build a naval base and naval structures in the North. We also have our own seas. For instance, we are acquiring a new natural gas ship. This floating gas processing platform ship will be used in the Sakarya Gas Field production. It will arrive in Turkey in about two months. It's 300 meters long and 58 meters wide. This platform, capable of producing enough natural gas for 5 million households, might remain there for 15-20 years, essentially acting as a base. It will set sail next week and come to Turkey. Once they see this base, that will be enough for them," he stated.

Referring to recent comments by Transportation Minister Erhan Arıklı about Southern Cyprus planning to build a naval base with Greece on the Larnaca coast, in agreement with the US and the EU, Erdoğan noted, "We are currently constructing the Northern Cyprus Presidential and Parliamentary buildings. These are more significant than any base. While they build military bases, we are building political bases," Erdoğan continued. "Turkey will take necessary steps at the appropriate time. Actions that do not contribute to the peace of the island, increase tensions, and violate international law must be avoided."

Southern Cyprus's Defense Minister announced plans on Wednesday to build a large naval base on the southern coast of the island, capable of hosting large ships from EU and other countries for various operations, including humanitarian missions to the turbulent Middle East region.

The naval base is to be built on an existing facility about 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of the coastal city of Limassol, where a 2011 explosion of 480 tons of Iranian gunpowder killed 13 people and caused a political crisis in Cyprus.

"Miçotakis Must Put Dendias in His Place"

Responding to a question about Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias labeling Turkey and Turkish soldiers as "occupiers" on the island, Erdoğan said, "Prime Minister Miçotakis must put his minister in his place."

"We occasionally witness populist figures in Greece trying to undermine relations between the two countries with such statements. We seek to develop our relations with Greece based on good neighborly understanding. However, this does not mean we will remain silent in the face of such delusions," he said.

"As everyone knows, Turkey conducted the Cyprus Peace Operation for peace, as its name implies, and this intervention established peace. At that time, Turkey intervened to put a definitive end to the genocide initiated by both the Greek Cypriot side and the coup leaders in Greece. This intervention was carried out under the guarantor rights granted by international law," Erdoğan stated, adding, "The Turkish military has a glorious history of not oppressing even its enemies while ensuring the rights of the oppressed. It will continue to act with this understanding today and in the future."

Referring to his recent conversation with Miçotakis at the NATO leaders summit, Erdoğan said, "He said he thought the same way as I did. But unfortunately, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias seems unaware of our meeting and made rash statements."