Tag: Articles

In an article for CityAM, James Price highlights how Britain’s net-zero policies are increasing energy costs and reducing economic productivity. However, a pragmatic approach to energy cooperation could offer solutions – both at home and abroad.

One key opportunity lies in Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Encouraging both sides to work together on energy production and distribution could not only enhance regional energy security but also help ease long-standing political tensions on the island.

By fostering energy collaboration, the UK could support a mutually beneficial framework that strengthens economic ties between both states while addressing disputes through practical cooperation.

The UK has abandoned what could be its most steadfast ally in the eastern Mediterranean – Northern Cyprus. For decades, the UK Government has distanced itself from the country in a foolish attempt to please Greek Cypriot lobby groups that purport to be the ‘representative voice’ of ‘Cypriots’ living in the UK. However, in doing so, it risks pushing the TRNC in the opposite direction – towards Russia and Iran. 

The UK should break free of the shackles it has bound itself in and finally take the lead on a foreign policy issue, argues Georgia Gilholy.

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.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continues to push for recognition and each day its calls grow stronger with more hearing it. Whilst it strengthens its case for recognition, it engages in cross-community confidence-building measures to ensure that Greek and Turkish Cypriots find closure, and are reunited with their missing relatives following the Greek Cypriot and Greek-led coup in 1974.

All attempts to reunify Cyprus have failed, largely owing to political maneuvering by the South, however the Turkish Cypriot side has been attempting to foster collaboration in other ways – reuniting the dead with their families has been the most effective.

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.