Turkey has warned that the potential deployment of French forces in Cyprus could undermine regional stability, emphasizing that the island’s security arrangements are governed by existing international agreements.

A Turkish military source stated during a briefing at the Ministry of Defense that Ankara remains one of the guarantor states of the island, which is divided between the Turkish-administered north, Northern Cyprus, and the internationally recognized south, the Republic of Cyprus.

The warning comes amid expectations of an agreement to be signed in June that would allow France to deploy troops in the southern part of the island, which is a member of the European Union.

The source added that the specific security rationale behind France’s move remains unclear, cautioning that such initiatives could disrupt the “delicate balance” on the island and further escalate tensions in the region.