KKTC, Greek Cyprus military exerc,ses

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cyprus administration have again decided not to hold military exercises this year due to ongoing peace negotiations. The Greek Cypriot Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that its annual war games have been canceled again this year to avoid ratcheting up tensions amid ongoing talks to reunify the ethnically divided island. The ministry said in a statement on Monday that the decision to call off this week's three-day maneuvers was made even though Turkey hasn't said whether it will also cancel a military exercise it holds jointly with the TRNC. The ministry said it expects Turkey to follow suit. KKTC presidential spokesperson Osman Ertug, in a written statement released yesterday, said the TRNC had decided not to hold the Toros military exercises this year in order to hold UN-led reunification talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders.