On 3 September 2020, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made a statement regarding the US decision to lift the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu said that the decision implied the lifting of the embargo on the export of non-lethal defence equipment for one year. Zeytinoğlu indicated that at a time when tension is high and the balances are extremely sensitive in the Eastern Mediterranean, the decision should be viewed as an extremely wrong move. He made the following remarks:

“I consider the US decision to lift the arms embargo as an extremely wrong step. When the US imposed the embargo 33 years ago, it did so with the idea of ??maintaining peace on the island and speeding up efforts for a solution. Now, the US should see that the decision to lift the embargo undermines the hopes for a solution on the island. Having voted for the Annan Plan in a referendum in 2004, the people of the TRNC have demonstrated their preference for a peaceful solution on the island. The Greek Cypriot Administration on the other hand, despite rejecting the Annan Plan in the referendum, was admitted to the EU representing all of Cyprus. No steps have been taken to undo this injustice, and the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are being disregarded in the natural gas exploration activities in the exclusive economic zone of the island. In delineating Turkey’s territorial waters and continental shelf, an approach contradicting equity is adopted. In this context, this move by the US, which is Turkey’s ally, not only contradicts equity, but also presents an extremely wrong and unfair stance towards a NATO Ally.”

Indicating that some of the senators, who played a part in the adoption of the decision, were close to Greek and Greek Cypriot claims, Chairman Zeytinoğlu stressed that Turkey needed a powerful lobby and friends in the Congress and the Senate to defend its interests in the US. He concluded his statement with the following remarks:

“One needs to take a look at how the decision to lift the embargo was made. Behind the decision is Bob Menendez, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Menendez stated that the decision taken together with the US military training program reflected the critical importance of the US-Cyprus bilateral relationship and the growing importance of the Eastern Mediterranean region to US national security. He emphasized that the Greek Cypriot Administration was a reliable strategic partner for the US in the region. Menendez is also among the senators who prepared the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act and the End the Cyprus Embargo Act. American Jewish Committee Chair David Harris also expressed his support for the lifting of the embargo and said it was a milestone in the US-Cyprus relationship. Turkey should better explain its arguments in the US decision-making process, in the Congress and the Senate and seek support. Otherwise, such moves may continue."