Published On 4/29/2026
The controversy over the Republic of Cyprus is renewed with European moves towards activating the joint defense clause stipulated in Article 42.7 of the European Union Treaty, in parallel with an expected agreement between it and France to deploy French forces on the island.
These moves sparked criticism from the Turkish side, amid questions about their motives and legal and political limits.
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Journalist Melih Altinok – in an article in the Turkish newspaper Sabah – criticized the decision of European Union leaders, during the recent summit held in Nicosia, to prepare a guideline for implementing Article 42.7, questioning the existence of an imminent threat that calls for this action.
In turn, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus considered the intention of the southern part of the island (the Greek Republic of Cyprus) to deploy French forces on the island a “provocative and unacceptable step,” warning that it would greatly harm peace and stability on the island.
Turkish experts believe that the agreement expected to be signed next June to deploy French forces on the island is not legally possible to implement without reaching an agreement with the Turkish side, due to the guarantee treaty, as reported by the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.
On the other hand, the President of (Greek) Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, indicated that this new agreement comes within the framework of efforts to strengthen defense relations with France.
Common defense
Altinok explained that the European Union is devoting itself these days to ensuring the security of Cyprus as soon as possible.
The reintroduction of Article 42.7 (Mutual Assistance) is related to “Greek part” The principle of mutual defense in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO)NATO), directly, according to the writer.
The writer continues, saying, “It is no secret that the Greek side (the Greek Republic of Cyprus) is making special efforts in this file, and it is one of the four countries in the European Union that are not members of NATO, along with France and Greece, which seek to keep the matter on the discussion agenda.”
Disregard the law
And he sees Hassan Onal, A faculty member at the Turkish University of Başkent, and director of the Center for New World Studies, said that France’s real goal is to create a semblance of an alliance through the weapons it sells to Greece and the relationships established within this framework.
The academic explains to Milliyet newspaper that the expected agreement between France and Greek Cyprus will not lead to a tangible military result, except for the arrival of a limited number of soldiers to carry out training activities.
For his part, retired Ambassador Uluc Ozulker considered that this type of troop deployment on the island is not a completely new situation, but rather a continuation of the current regime, given the presence of defense agreements in effect between Greece, the United States, and France.
However, Ozulker adds, the deployment of French soldiers in Cyprus will not be in accordance with international law, because the 1960 agreements accepted by the United Nations, including the Guarantee Treaty, are still in effect.
The Guarantee Treaty stipulates the commitment of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom to guarantee the independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus, and to prevent any activity aimed at unifying the island with another country or dividing it.
The Republic of Cyprus also pledges – in accordance with the treaty – not to enter into any political or economic union with any country, and to prevent any activity that supports its division or union with another country.
Accordingly, it is not legally possible for the Greek party to act alone, but rather an agreement must be reached with the Turkish Cypriots, according to the retired ambassador.
Implications and balances
Altinok argues that the European Union and Greek Cyprus are seeking – by re-introducing the joint defense clause – to shape the future of Cyprus in isolation from the guarantor countries and from NATO.
Milliyet newspaper points out that such moves will not change the balance in the region, in light of Türkiye’s capabilities and geographical location, considering that the issue carries a political and psychological dimension more than a military one.
However, the newspaper warns that introducing unnecessary parties into this path raises the expectations of the Greek Republic of Cyprus, affecting the balances in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the island in general and fueling political tension.
Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided between two parts: Turkish in the north and Greek in the south. In 2004, the Greek Cypriots rejected a plan presented by the United Nations to unify the two parts of the island.
Since the collapse of the UN-sponsored Cyprus reunification talks in Crans Montana, Switzerland, in July 2017, no formal UN-brokered negotiations have taken place to settle the conflict on the island.
