The Republic of Cyprus has decided to cancel “Nikiforos – 2011“ military exercise, expecting Turkey to follow suit and cancel its military exercise “Taurus“.

An official press release, issued here today, said that the Republic had proposed to the UN the cancellation of both “Nikoforos“ exercise as well as of the Turkish military exercise “Taurus.“

It is added that despite the fact that Turkey has not replied to the proposal of the Republic of Cyprus, the latter has decided, in view of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem and the need to maintain calmness and normality in the region without tension, that the exercise will not take place.

“The Republic of Cyprus expects Turkey to respond to its proposal,“ the press release concluded.