Turkey Calls French Military Deployment Agreement with Cyprus Illegal
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Turkey condemned a new agreement allowing French military personnel to be stationed in Cyprus, declaring the deal a violation of international law and previous treaties regarding the Mediterranean island. Ankara's rejection of the deployment reflects ongoing tensions over Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island following a Greek-backed coup. The Republic of Cyprus, internationally recognized and an EU member since 2004, controls the southern two-thirds of the island, while Turkey maintains troops in the north and is the only country to recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.