CYPRUS: Turkey aims to start building naval base in the north

Turkey has decided to establish a modern naval base in the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, reported Turkish daily Aydinlik.

---

It said Turkey’s Naval Forces Commander was personally involved in the search for the ideal location of the base while the technical study which estimates the cost of the base and the infrastructure requirements has been sent to Ankara.

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 the occupied area of Cyprus in August.

The naval base would be built over an area covering approximately 280,000 acres.

The base would be able to facilitate frigates, corvettes, submarines and helicopters.

The Commander of the Turkish naval forces Admiral Adnan Ozbal scouted in person the area during his visit to the north on 15 November, with Trikomo deemed as the best place to build the base.

Aydinlik reported that Admiral Ozbal raised this issue during his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

It said a mutual understanding had been reached on this issue and an agreement between Turkey and the breakaway regime could be signed within 2019.

Such a move would do little to enhance a climate of trust needed to push forward stalled Cyprus reunification talks.