Slovakia decided to withdraw from the Turkish-led military exercise Anadolu Ankası-2021 due to the participation of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok announced to his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.
According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the two ministers had a brief meeting on the sidelines of the informal meeting of European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers in Lisbon.
Slovakia's withdrawal from Anadolu Ankası-2021, which also has the participation of Qatar and Azerbaijan, is "due to the participation of the occupiers," according to the Greek Foreign Ministry.
Korčok also emphasised his country's commitment to international law and European solidarity.
"The Foreign Minister welcomed and thanked his Slovak counterpart for his swift response," the foreign ministry said.
The so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), is an illegal entity established after the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus in 1974.
It is recognised by no other state in the world besides Turkey, and was deemed an illegal entity by United Nations Security Council resolutions 541 and 550.
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