Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his intention to increase the Turkish army in Cyprus during a press conference on his visit to Azerbaijan.

Erdogan stressed that Turkey’s military presence is important and added that he will not heed to calls to reduce the army on the island: “We will not reduce the number of our forces. We will increase it,” he said.

Replying to a question about the possibility of establishing a military base on occupied northern Cyprus, the Turkish premier said that there is no need at present.

“We can get to Cyprus and eastern Mediterranean in few minutes from Turkey,” he said, adding that Greece does not have the geographical advantage.

He noted however that a military base in Cyprus could prove an important “psychological factor.”

“If the need arises, we will establish a military base there,” he added.

Source: http://greece.greekreporter.com/category/greek-news/tourism/