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Category: Media

LISTEN: LBC’s Iain Dale and former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith discuss the TRNC and President Tatar

31 March, 2023

Iain Dale and the Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, ‘For the Many’

Renowned broadcaster, Iain Dale, and former Home Secretary under Gordon Brown, Jacqui Smith speak about President Tatar’s March interview on LBC, the Cyprus issue, and the continued importance of British involvement on the island. Describing it as ‘fascinating’, Dale spoke about the President’s CapX article, the history of the island, and makes comparisons to Israel-Palestine, and Northern Ireland.

LISTEN: President Tatar features on Times Radio for exclusive interview with Baroness Ruth Davidson

31 March, 2023

The Rt. Hon. Baroness Ruth Davidson, Times Radio

President Tatar speaks to former Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, the Rt. Hon. Baroness Ruth Davidson on his vision for a two State solution on Cyprus, the purpose of his visit to the United Kingdom, and his desire to see Britain adopt a more prominent role in resolving the ‘Cyprus issue’ in a fair way – respecting the sovereign equality of both Sides.

LISTEN: President Tatar gives an exclusive interview to LBC’s Iain Dale

29 March, 2023

Iain Dale, LBC

President Tatar speaks to LBC’s Iain Dale on his vision of a two State solution on the island of Cyprus, the role the TRNC can play on the world stage, and the history of the island and why the TRNC formed.

Global Britain – a ‘guarantor power’ capable of breaking the Cyprus deadlock

28 March, 2023

President Ersin Tatar, CAPX

Writing whilst on his official trip to London in March 2022, President Tatar sets out his argument for British parliamentarians and political stakeholders to support the inherent sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot People. He argues that the Turkish Cypriot People are entitled to equal rights and opportunities as Greek Cypriots and that their inherent rights, including individual and collective human rights, have been violated for decades.

Despite pledges to end the isolation of the TRNC, the international community has not honoured their commitments, and the Greek Cypriot side has entrenched the status quo in their favour. The President advocates for a two State solution and calls for the UK and the international community to honour their promises to end the embargo on the Turkish Cypriot people, which will contribute to the security, stability, and cooperation in the region.

The island of Ireland offers a pathway to follow to solve the ‘Cyprus issue’

23 March, 2023

Lord Dennis Rogan, The Telegraph

The Good Friday Agreement turns 25 years old this year. Lord Rogan writes that Prime Minister Sunak should follow in the footsteps of Blair, Trimble, and those leaders who put aside their political differences to find a solution on the island of Ireland. The Cyprus issue could be looked at in a similar way – both are islands with two Peoples and two nations.

Lord Rogan, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords writes that the TRNC has a right to exist, praising President Ersin Tatar for his forward-thinking ambition – a two State solution. Brexit offers the United Kingdom a chance to break the deadlock on Cyprus.

The isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people isn’t just a political motivation, but a religious one too

17 March, 2023

Paul Bristow MP, Politics.co.uk

The UN has approved the second International Day to Combat Islamophobia, recognising that Muslims worldwide face persecution and atrocities such as the Rohingya and Uyghur genocides. While 94% of the UK’s over three million Muslims are able to practice their religion freely, anti-Muslim prejudice still exists, and the UK Government has promised to define Islamophobia. Paul Bristow, Member of Parliament for Peterborough (a city with a significant Muslim community), has seen how Islamophobia can be subtle but real during his February (2023) visit to the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot Muslim population faces international isolation due to the unresolved “Cyprus issue,” which needs to be resolved for the benefit of the UK and the Western Alliance by creating trade opportunities and strengthening relations with Turkey. Prejudice against Muslims can take many forms, including isolation.

Former Turkish Ambassador to the UK urges Global Britain to use its unique role to end the Cyprus issue

11 March, 2023

His Excellency Ümit Yalçın, Express.co.uk

During his time as the Turkish Ambassador in London, Ümit Yalçın has witnessed significant events such as Brexit, Covid-19, and the earthquakes in Türkiye. He expresses gratitude for the UK’s solidarity and support during the earthquakes, but believes the UK can play a more active role in finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Cyprus. Despite this issue, bilateral relations between Türkiye and the UK have developed, with intensified political contacts as NATO allies and strategic partners. The Free Trade Agreement between the two countries has been signed and is being expanded. The UK is also among the top 10 favourite tourism destinations for Turkish visitors. Yalçın considers it an honor to represent Türkiye as an ambassador, especially in the UK, and holds the UK and its people in a special place in his heart.

The UK has a unique role to play in resolving one of Europe’s last frozen conflicts

10 February, 2023

Çetin Ramadan, Wolves of Westminster

According to the European Research Group (ERG), the UK’s most significant achievement since leaving the EU has been its foreign policy leadership, particularly in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. The article argues that this demonstrates the UK’s potential to shape its global role and resolve conflicts such as the ongoing Cyprus issue. The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has called for a two State solution to the Cyprus issue, which has been unresolved for nearly 50 years. The article contends that a federal solution has failed and that only by granting equal sovereign and international status to both sides can a peaceful, long-term solution be achieved. The article concludes by suggesting that by seizing post-Brexit opportunities, Britain can establish direct trade and international flights with the TRNC, which is a crucial step towards resolving Europe’s longest frozen conflict.

Tatar extends hand of friendship to King Charles III with invite to seven star hotel in TRNC

28 January, 2023

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

The President of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, has invited King Charles to visit the Golden Sands Hotel, the world’s first-ever seven-star hotel on the island of Cyprus. Tatar believes that reunification between the Greek Cypriot southern part of the island and the TRNC is now “absolutely impossible” and wants the South’s president to recognise his country as part of a “two State solution”. He accused the UK of failing to use Brexit to broker “a fair solution”. An official Royal visit would be a formal recognition of the TRNC, which could then enter the Commonwealth as a separate member. The Golden Sands Hotel has been abandoned since the Turkish army moved into North Cyprus to protect Turkish Cypriots in 1974. After decades of failed talks, President Tatar’s government last year decided to open up the town to both Turkish and Greek Cypriots to visit and has given individual owners, mostly Greek Cypriots, the opportunity to reclaim their properties. So far, 3.4% of the town has been reclaimed, including the ownership of the Golden Sands Hotel.

Cyprus needs a two State solution in the best interests of all involved

28 January, 2023

Patrick Wintour, The Guardian

Ersin Tatar, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is urging for a two State solution to end the 60-year dispute over Cyprus. Tatar believes that the hydrocarbon reserves in the surrounding areas may not be exploited if a solution is not reached. His proposal suggests that both sides of the island should remain permanently divided with equal sovereign status. However, Tatar’s critics argue that this plan may turn the isolated TRNC into an economic colony of Ankara, which may threaten the North’s prized secular status. The TRNC already receives at least €270m a year from Ankara, and Tatar warns that if the international community does not engage with his plan and lift the embargo on the TRNC, it will have to integrate even more closely with Ankara. The value of the hydrocarbons in the east Mediterranean was time-limited, and if the status of the TRNC remains deadlocked, the hydrocarbons risked being left untapped as governments moved on to greener technology such as solar.