Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke of the European Parliament and European Union institutions Thursday, accusing them of taking sides in the Cyprus dispute and functioning as tools of Greek-Cypriot propaganda.
The Turkish criticism centers on an opinion issued by the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality regarding the EU's 2027 budget. According to Turkish officials, the committee's opinion included a recommendation to allocate European funds for construction of a monument by the Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey contends is designed to defame the Turkish Armed Forces.
In its statement, Turkey's Foreign Ministry characterized the European Parliament and EU institutions as "instruments" and "tools of Greek-Cypriot propaganda." Officials said the EU bodies have taken a position on the Cyprus issue and are no longer neutral actors.
The Turkish government reiterated its longstanding position regarding the 1974 military operation in Cyprus. According to the Foreign Ministry's statement, "The Turkish Armed Forces, through the Peace Operation in Cyprus in 1974, prevented the extermination of the Turkish-Cypriot people and brought peace to the entire island for more than half a century."
Turkey's Foreign Ministry did not specify details about the proposed monument or its intended purpose beyond the allegation that it aims to damage the reputation of Turkish military forces. The statement represents an escalation in rhetoric from Ankara toward European institutions over their handling of Cyprus-related matters.