Category: Media

Turkish Cypriot isolation must end to return normality to the eastern Mediterranean

Telegraph Leader, The Telegraph

There has been over half a century of failed talks revolving around the Cyprus issue with the most notable examples – Annan Plan (2004) and Crans Montana negotiations (2017) – being rejected by the Greek Cypriot side. Calls for new ideas to solve this dispute have increased ever since.

However, Turkish Cypriots have remained international isolated since 1963, following a Greek Cypriot coup of the partnership Republic of Cyprus. As a way to reduce tensions in the region, ending the isolation of Northern Cyprus may be a start, especially with the introduction of direct flights.

Five decades of division – now a two state solution is the only path for Cyprus

Both Turkish and Greek Cypriots suffered from 1963. The bloody push to illegally join Cyprus with Greece (‘Enosis’) saw Greek Cypriots murdered by their own neighbours and government, and an attempted extermination of the Turkish Cypriots. 50 years on, a two state solution can formalise a peace to this frozen conflict.

Helena Smith writes for the Guardian about how both Sides suffered because of the ruthless pursuit of Enosis by EOKA-B and their Greek sponsors. There would be no Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus had Türkiye not acted to prevent their genocide in 1974.

50 years since Türkiye ended Greek and EOKA-B plans for a Turkish Cypriot genocide

There would be no Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus had Türkiye not acted to prevent their genocide at the hands of Greek Cypriot ethno-nationalist paramilitary terrorists in 1974. Many Greek Cypriot groups conveniently forget to mention this when recalling the history of Cyprus, instead opting to lazily whitewash history in favour of their tired agenda of reunification.

Michael Drummond from Sky News explains the history of the island of Cyprus, and delves into some of the subsequent efforts to marginalise Turkish Cypriots – notably through export of hellim.

UK Minister calls for ‘openness and compromise’ as the TRNC celebrates 50 years of peace

The UK Foreign Office has responded to former Labour Foreign Secretary Jack Straw’s call for a two state solution in Cyprus by calling for ‘openness and compromise’ in resolving the Cyprus issue.

We agree – that’s why after over a dozen attempts, the UK Government should stop attempting the tried and failed ‘bizonal, bicommunal federation’ model, and finally be bold in pushing for a solution through thinking outside of the same narrow parameters that have only served to further compound Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cyprus and across the world.

Ex-Labour Foreign Secretary calls for a two state solution and an end to the TRNC’s isolation

Former Labour Foreign Secretary writes about the current ‘absurdity’ in the approach of the Greek Cypriot leadership to the Cyprus Issue. He calls for compromise to secure a long-term, sustainable future for the TRNC and Southern Cyprus. He explains his regrets over Cyprus’ accession into the European Union in 2004, and argues that the UK needs to use its unique influence in the region to ensure that this 50 year frozen conflict is resolved for the benefit of both states on the island.

Our new Labour government can unlock Europe’s last frozen conflict

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has the chance to do something radical with his foreign policy. He can finally end Europe’s last frozen conflict and recognise a country that is pivotal to regional stability and home to thousands of Brits.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is critical to the UK’s security. Without recognising it, Britain is giving up our crucial position in the region to Russia and Iran. Keir Starmer and David Lammy can stop this.

 

Calls from Westminster for direct flights to the TRNC reach the loudest in years

54 British parliamentarians support commencing direct flights to Northern Cyprus in the largest show of support for the proposal in years. The initiative, arranged and co-ordinated by the ‘Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus’ campaign, succeeded in bringing politicians from both the Conservative and Labour parties together to call on the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, to support the measure.

Unprecedented step as over 50 British parliamentarians call for direct flights to the TRNC from the UK

More than 50 British parliamentarians have joined with the ‘Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus’ campaign to launch a groundbreaking effort calling on the UK Government to allow direct flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from Britain.

In an open letter to the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, they call for Britain “to ensure that all Cypriots, regardless of their ethnicity, have equality in the fulfillment of their potential and the right to live their lives free from arbitrary discrimination.”

They say that “the UK Government has not fulfilled its commitments to the Turkish Cypriot People and has been unwilling to discuss any tempering of measures [to make travel to the TRNC easier].”

The letter, signed by a former Foreign Secretary, a former First Minister of Northern Ireland, a former Conservative Party Leader, alongside a broad coalition of Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat, DUP, UUP, and Conservative politicians, rallies for direct flights “in the interests of fairness and national security… to send a clear message that [the UK Government] upholds the commitments it has made to the Turkish Cypriot People.”

Lord Balfe – ‘We can at least end the ostracization and isolation of the TRNC.’

After 50 years of failed negotiations in Cyprus, Lord Balfe calls on the United Kingdom to put things right.

There are several steps the British government could take to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots which could in turn end the impasse on the island.

 

Former celebrity hotspot in Cyprus blossoms after being closed off for 50 years

The ghost town of Maraş was reopened in 2020 by TRNC President Tatar. Known for its past as an A-list celebrity hotspot, the town is now being eyed as the Dubai of the eastern Mediterranean. 

After decades of abandonment, the TRNC has bold and ambitious plans to bring the seaside town back to its former glory. Over a million tourists have already visited the town – proving its incredible potential.