Tag: Express

The Golden Sands Hotel: King Charles III responds to TRNC President Ersin Tatar

15 February, 2024

The current fiasco surrounding the ownership of the Golden Sands hotel by King Charles has caused a diplomatic row as leader of the Greek Cypriot administration orders an investigation into the issue.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus authorities claim that the Royal Family do own the hotel as redevelopment plans for Maraş continue.

One of the proposed images of the redeveloped town seems to have created quite a stir according to the Daily Express.

President Tatar’s plans to transform Maras forces Greek Cypriot Administration into launching an investigation

13 February, 2024

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

Whilst the Royal Family have tried to distance themselves from the Golden Sands hotel, the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, has ordered a full investigation into the issue.

President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has stated to Express.co.uk that King Charles does indeed own the hotel.

Meanwhile, redevelopment plans for Maraş continues.

‘Vegas of the Med’ may forge ties between the British Royal Family and Northern Cyprus

12 February, 2024

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

As redevelopment plans continue in Maraş, the ownership of the Golden Sands hotel by King Charles has once again come into question with legal battles potentially taking place in the future if the issue is not resolved.

With a consortium of billionaire businesspeople from across the globe in alliance with some of the world’s most successful hoteliers, the beachfront town has the potential to be a top holiday destination for travellers.

It will be interesting to see how the UK Government and Royal Family respond to a potential re-opening of the Golden Sands hotel.

President Tatar’s plans to redevelop Maras could include a hotel owned by Kind Charles III

12 February, 2024

Georgie English, The Sun

The ownership of the Golden Sands hotel continues to come into question as redevelopment plans continue in Maraş.

King Charles is believed to be the owner of the hotel according to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus government. However, the Royal Family have denied these rumours.

The hotel was first opened in 1974 and proudly defined itself as “the world’s first seven-star hotel.”

The Labour Party cannot fight Islamophobia without engaging Turkish Cypriots in the UK

11 January, 2024

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

In November 2023, a series of Turkish Cypriot community groups wrote to Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, to ask him to take a more active approach in tackling Islamophobia against Turkish Cypriot muslims. Starmer referred the group to Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who refused a meeting citing his busy schedule.

As we face a general election this year, the Labour Party must realise that for decades Turkish Cypriots have formed a key voting bloc in their electoral coalition. Without them, they will be unable to win many seats in London and the surrounding counties.

The snub by the Shadow Foreign Secretary is a snub of 300,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the UK and highlights that cherry-picking instances of Islamophobia is real and a serious concern to many marginalised Muslim groups.

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 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 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.

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.

Direct flights from the UK to Northern Cyprus? There may be a way…

1 August, 2023

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

Affordable holidays to Europe’s last unspoiled corner may be getting easier to go on. In an interview with Chet Ramadan, Chair of the Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus campaign, he argued for the practicality of a solution that allows for direct flights.

With countless benefits for the 300,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the UK, the 10,000 British nationals living in the TRNC, and for anybody who wishes to touch down in the island of Cyprus’ largest airport to begin a holiday without breaking the bank, direct flights are the answer.

Interested to learn how they could start? Click on the link above to read the article.