Tag: Articles

A lack of direct trade with and flights to Northern Cyprus is ‘onerous and arbitrary’ says senior Conservative MP

8 January, 2024

The UK formerly had a sensible approach to bilateral ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Not any more.

Forcing passengers to disembark one aircraft and board another in Türkiye is a cruel and arbitrary measure, especially given the historic ties between the country and the UK.

To continue in this approach would be hypocritical of the British government – especially given it did not reject Kosovo or Bosnia when they declared their independence.

Direct trade and flights is in Britain’s national interest. To not seize this opportunity gives Iran, China, Russia an open goal.

President Tatar: David Cameron should play his part to end 60 years of stalemate

4 January, 2024

President Ersin Tatar, Express.co.uk

The reality on Cyprus is one of two States. For 60 years, Turkish Cypriots have governed themselves. Each year the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proves itself to be more and more of a state worthy of recognition. However, whilst 60 years of stalemate may suit the administration in Southern Cyprus, the UK must chart a path towards a mutually acceptable solution.

As a guarantor power of Cyprus, Britain’s foreign policy must be to recognise the independence of the TRNC so that this frozen conflict can finally end, and both Sides of the island can begin cooperating meaningfully on a range of initiatives that will benefit both communities, the region, and Britain.

The UK must recognise the TRNC as a legitimate authority for the Turkish Cypriot people.

19 December, 2023

Rt. Hon Sammy Wilson MP, REACTION

Due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the danger of frozen conflicts is more apparent than ever. The West must no longer ignore these unresolved issues as instability seems to inevitably lead to violence.

That is why the UK government must recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and end the Cyprus issue conclusively.

Not only has the solution worked in places such as Ireland, but the Turkish Cypriot government would be a reliable and secure partner for the UK.

The Labour Party cannot ignore Turkish Cypriots when addressing Islamophobia

3 December, 2023

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

The Freedom and Fairness campaign, alongside representatives from the UK Turkish Cypriot community signed and issued a letter to Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, calling on him to address the hypocrisy in how Islamophobia is addressed within the party.

As we mark Islamophobia Awareness Month, the letter urges Starmer to reflect on whether the UK would isolate a European Christian country in the same way Britain has the Turkish Cypriots in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

A future Labour Government could exercise its leadership by recognising the TRNC

20 November, 2023

Rikki Williams, CapX

With the appointment of Lord David Cameron as Foreign Secretary, it is clear the Conservative Government is serious about burnishing its international credentials. At a time when Britain’s role in the world is more important than ever, and with the prospect of a Labour Government assuming office within a matter of months, how can the UK use its influence to resolve the frozen conflicts that remain?

Cyprus should be one of Keir Starmer’s foreign policy priorities. After nearly 50 years since the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation, Labour should endorse a two-State solution in Cyprus to create a lasting peace in the already fragile region.

A two State solution, proven in Cyprus, needed for Israel-Palestine

31 October, 2023

TRNC President, Ersin Tatar

President Tatar recently spoke to the Express amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The President highlighted that whilst the world does not recognise the two State solution in Cyprus, it is a model that is an undoubtable reality and it is a model for relative peace. President Tatar therefore argues that it should be implemented to other irreconcilable conflicts, like with Israel-Palestine.

President Tatar also reflects on his childhood and how he witnessed the atrocities faced by the Turkish Cypriot people. Similar to the Palestinians in Gaza, Turkish Cypriots were under siege between 1963 to 1974, deprived of food, water and electricity.

The only way to ensure peace between Israel-Palestine is via a two State solution. It established peace on the island of Cyprus and it can help establish peace in this area of the Middle East.

Türkiye is now a geopolitical kingmaker the West can no longer overlook

18 October, 2023

Çetin Ramadan, Comment Central

Turkey stands as a pivotal bridge between the West and East, projecting its influence globally across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and North Africa. Turkey’s stance on global matters, including the prolonged Syrian humanitarian crisis and issues in the Sahel and North Africa, must be acknowledged owing to the repercussions each has for Europe.

The Cyprus issue is no different, with President Erdoğan calling upon the international community to acknowledge the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an independent state and a two-State solution akin to the UN and EU’s backing of Israel and Palestine. Additionally, the reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan is regarded as a step towards heightened stability in the Caucasus. Furthermore, the international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is deemed conducive to fostering a peaceful settlement in the eastern Mediterranean.

UN hypocrisy and double-standards are to blame for increased Cyprus divisions

16 October, 2023

Professor Hasan Ünal, Fair Observer

The construction of the Pile-Yiğitler road should have been hailed as a much needed humanitarian project specifically designed to enhance the lives of Greek and Turkish Cypriots living in the buffer zone. However, when the United Nations began blocking and assaulting Turkish Cypriot workers involved in the project it served only to highlight its own double standards.

The UN made no efforts to prevent the construction of an entire university by Greek Cypriots in the buffer zone – yet when it comes to one single road to help in the transport of food, medicine, and fresh water to this integrated community it shows its prejudices.

British High Commissioner Siddiq blasted by President Tatar

20 September, 2023

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

In the second time in just over two months, Britain’s High Commissioner in Cyprus has once again accused Northern Cyprus of being Russia’s “money laundering black spot”.

Fresh off the back of calling Türkiye’s 1974 Peace Operation a ‘land grab’, Irfan Siddiq has again displayed his bias against Turkish Cypriots by alleging (without evidence) that the so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus’ has cleaned up its financial practices in relation to Russia.

Siddiq’s misinformation was slammed by TRNC President Ersin Tatar as “disappointing” and “prejudiced”. Once again, Siddiq demonstrates why he has no credibility in his position.

Former UK Foreign Secretary voices support for a new solution on Cyprus

7 September, 2023

The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, Politico.eu

Jack Straw served as Foreign Secretary under Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair from 2001 to 2006. He witnessed first-hand the double-standards of the Greek Cypriot Administration, and speaks the truth about why Türkiye had to intervene on the island in 1974.

He offers his own account and insights from the period when the so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus’ was negotiating to join the European Union and claims that the process ought to have been paused until a solution on the island was reached.

Now he calls on the UK to step up and act in the interests of all Cypriots on the island to help end 50 years of failed negotiations for a federal settlement.