President Erdoğan said, "Our UAVs and UCAVs are presently stationed in the TRNC. Similar things might occur again. These would be rightful acts. We must secure the TRNC from every angle and aspect.
On his return flight from his visit to Prague, the capital of Czechia, for the meeting of the European Political Community, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions and commented on current affairs.
After stressing that the TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a statement declaring, "We gave the United Nations one month to either recognise us or withdraw the peacekeeping force from Cyprus," journalists asked President Erdoğan: "What if it fails to withdraw? In addition, they view the embargo and arms decision as a siege. Is Türkiye, therefore, prepared for additional reinforcements? There were rumours of a Turkish military base in Karpas as an alternative to Alexandroupolis. Have any preparations been made for the Turkish base?" President Erdoğan replied:
"Do you know what we had done regarding this matter at an unexpected time? First, we deployed UAVs and UCAVs in the TRNC. Currently, our UAVs and UCAVs are stationed there, and similar things might occur in the region you mentioned. These would be rightful acts, as we must secure the TRNC from every angle and aspect. On the other hand, our planes can reach the TRNC immediately after taking off from our mainland. There is no issue with this matter. And this evening, Anastasiades insisted on meeting; he wished to talk. He sent some people to arrange a meeting. I said, 'Mr President, you're already leaving.' He leaves two months later. I said, 'Now is not the time to discuss such matters.' I added, 'You constantly receive instructions from somewhere. We can't move forward if you follow these instructions.' Therefore, it is impossible to take their word for it. Otherwise, we will be left on our own."