‘ARMS BUILD-UP’
TOURISM chiefs have warned that a build of military hardware and “growing tensions” in the eastern Mediterranean will hit the country’s tourism sector as a Turkish drone was despatched to the TRNC, Turkey and Libya vowed to implement a new maritime deal and the US was poised to lift a long-running arms embargo on the Greek Cypriots.
The warnings were made after the Bayraktar TB2 drone landed at Geçitkale airport, a move seen by many as part of Turkey’s efforts to “fortify” the region in favour of the TRNC and Turkey.
The unmanned aircraft arrived in North Cyprus at 5am on Monday following a five-hour journey from Dalaman.
It landed after the TRNC’s Council of Ministers decided on Friday last week to open the airport for military use.
Officials have said the drone will be used to accompany Turkish drilling vessels in the region in response to “harassment” by the
Greek Cypriot side, saving “time, costs and fuel”.
Speaking to Cyprus Today, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said the action was “essential for the security of the TRNC and Turkey”.
“Following the military [memorandum defence and maritime delineation] agreement signed between Turkey and Libya, a new map has been created against those trying to unilaterally usurp our rights in the eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
“Turkey has a 1,800km-long coast and a population of over 80 million, and maritime and international law must be respected.
“Geçitkale airport has been opened for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and armed unmanned aerial vehicles for security reasons.”
The TRNC government took the decision to allow the use of Geçitkale airport — located on the Mesaoria plain in the Gazimağusa district — for the use of the Turkish military under the “public interest” article 11 of a contract with the airport’s private owner.
“The owner has expressed no
objection whatsoever and security is paramount for all of us,” Mr Tatar stressed.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday that it was “not out of the question” to increase the number of unmanned drones “depending on spontaneous developments”.
Turkish media reports claimed that F-16 fighter jets could also be deployed to Geçitkale in the period ahead, but the claim was dismissed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay during a television programme.
Tensions have been further cranked up by a deal between Turkey and the recognised Libyan government, which was this week “activated”, causing further outrage in South Cyprus and Greece, who claim the agreement is “illegal”.
Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez said on Wednesday that once the UN approved the agreement, Turkey would commence licencing for oil and gas exploration.
The developments came as the US congress voted to end a decades old arms embargo imposed on the Greek Cypriots.
Evaluating the situation and the potential effect on tourism, Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers’ Union head Dimağ Çağıner said the arrival of military drones “on top of the already mounting regional tensions” was not good for both sides of the island.
“No-one will win from this in terms of tourism and the economy,” he told Cyprus
Today. “It seems that tourism has been pushed [down the agenda] because defence and security comes first. The price for the increasing tension and threats between officials of regional countries will be paid by the tourism sector in both North and South Cyprus.”
Mr Çağıner pointed out that this is “not the first time drones have arrived” in Cyprus, highlighting the Greek Cypriot side’s purchase of four military drones from
Israel in October. Cyprus Turkish Travel Agents’ Union head Orhan Tolun, also speaking to this newspaper, said: “The increase in tensions will have a negative impact on tourism. However, it should be remembered that everyone knows there are British bases in Cyprus that also have drones and war jets. I think the regional tensions and the threats being made are harming tourism more than anything else.”