Israel and Greek Cyprus to station Israeli base on island - Turkish Cyprus

Turkish Cyprus’ leader has said he believes that southern Cyprus and Israel have begun negotiations over an Israeli military base in the southern part of the island despite the fact that both sides deny reports on the issue, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

"They are hiding this. I would not get surprised if Greek Cyprus allows Israelis to have a military base," Turkish Cypriot President Derviş Eroğlu told a group of journalists visiting him in his presidential palace today. "I think southern Cyprus wants to use this as a tool in the negotiations against us."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited southern Cyprus last week to deepen Tel Aviv’s cooperation with the Mediterranean island, which recently launched new oil and natural gas drilling, prompting Turkish and Turkish Cypriot anger.