President Tatar - Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus

The University of Oxford welcomes the Turkish Cypriot President to mark its 40th anniversary as a nation

30 November, 2023

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) visited The University of Oxford, to mark the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the state, and set out his plans for a new co-operation agreement with Greek Cyprus.

At an event, last week (Monday 20th November) at St John’s College, the University of Oxford, President Ersin Tatar set out a new all-encompassing initiative for cooperation dialogue between TRNC and Greek Cyprus to secure peaceful coexistence on the island and create an environment of interdependence.

President Tatar was joined at the event by Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş (Turkish Ambassador to the UK), Ambassador Çimen Keskin (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Representative to the UK), TRNC community representatives, and students of the University of Oxford.

President Tatar called for the North and South to cooperate on a wide range of issues, including hydrocarbon resources off the coast of Cyprus; electrical interconnectivity with the European Union’s grid via the Republic of Türkiye; effective use of solar energy as a means of transitioning to green energy; managing the Island’s freshwater resources; demining; and curbing of irregular migration.

The President reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution to the Cyprus issue based on sovereign equality and equal international status of the two sides.

Commenting on the visit, Chet Ramadan, Co-Chairman of the Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus campaign said:

“It was an excellent initiative of the University of Oxford to host this event to mark the 40th anniversary of the TRNC, which means so much to the 300,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the UK.

“The President set out his proposal for how the north and south can co-operate and co-exist peacefully which is absolutely essential given the volatility of the region.”

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.

WATCH: President Tatar gives an exclusive interview to TalkTV on his two State vision for Cyprus

19 November, 2023

Peter Cardwell, TalkTV

President Tatar speaks to TalkTV’s Peter Cardwell on his plans for a two State settlement for Cyprus, and touches on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and the implications it may have for the island.

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.

British weakness is not just affecting Northern Cyprus but also the South

1 September, 2023

Çetin Ramadan, Comment Central

British foreign policy has, for too long, been passive and seemingly uninterested on all matters relating to Northern Cyprus. Whilst successive UK governments regurgitate the same calls for a ‘bizonal, bicommunal federation’, the region falls further into an uncertain spiral – creating a void other countries are happy to fill.

The UK runs the risk of Russia expanding its eastern Mediterranean influence unless it acts decisively. Russia’s recent ‘partial recognition’ of the TRNC, alongside an increasing presence of Iranian nationals may pose critical threats to the future of the UK’s strategic foothold in the region.

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.

Out of touch High Commissioner calls 1974 Turkish intervention a “land grab”

12 July, 2023

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

Speaking to the estimated 10,000 British nationals living in the TRNC, the British High Commissioner to ‘Cyprus’ Irfan Siddiq referred to the second phase of Türkiye’s intervention on the island as a “land grab”.

Suggesting that the 1960 Constitution no longer could be applied to Turkish Cypriots, Siddiq, showcased his staggering ignorance of history and reality by likening the TRNC to that of Russia’s annexations in Ukraine.

President Tatar: “Something is cooking” as Macron eyes ‘revenge strategy’ to threaten British bases on Cyprus

7 July, 2023

David Maddox, Express.co.uk

Following a visit by French President Macron to Southern Cyprus in May, TRNC President Ersin Tatar raised his concerns about a potential French military base on the island stating it contradicts existing agreements.

The President put forward his case that this may be Macron seeking to exact revenge on the UK following its withdrawal from the European Union.

Tatar said that any agreement must consult Turkish and Greek Cypriots the UK, Türkiye, and Greece.

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.

Tag: President Tatar