Tag: TRNC

Turkish Cypriot isolation must end to return normality to the eastern Mediterranean

22 July, 2024

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.

Five decades of division – now a two state solution is the only path for Cyprus

20 July, 2024

Helena Smith, the Guardian

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.

50 years since Türkiye ended Greek and EOKA-B plans for a Turkish Cypriot genocide

20 July, 2024

Michael Drummond, Sky News

There would be no Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus had Türkiye not acted to prevent their genocide at the hands of Greek Cypriot ethno-nationalist paramilitary terrorists in 1974. Many Greek Cypriot groups conveniently forget to mention this when recalling the history of Cyprus, instead opting to lazily whitewash history in favour of their tired agenda of reunification.

Michael Drummond from Sky News explains the history of the island of Cyprus, and delves into some of the subsequent efforts to marginalise Turkish Cypriots – notably through export of hellim.

UK Minister calls for ‘openness and compromise’ as the TRNC celebrates 50 years of peace

20 July, 2024

David Maddox, the Independent

The UK Foreign Office has responded to former Labour Foreign Secretary Jack Straw’s call for a two state solution in Cyprus by calling for ‘openness and compromise’ in resolving the Cyprus issue.

We agree – that’s why after over a dozen attempts, the UK Government should stop attempting the tried and failed ‘bizonal, bicommunal federation’ model, and finally be bold in pushing for a solution through thinking outside of the same narrow parameters that have only served to further compound Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cyprus and across the world.

Ex-Labour Foreign Secretary calls for a two state solution and an end to the TRNC’s isolation

20 July, 2024

The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, the Independent

Former Labour Foreign Secretary writes about the current ‘absurdity’ in the approach of the Greek Cypriot leadership to the Cyprus Issue. He calls for compromise to secure a long-term, sustainable future for the TRNC and Southern Cyprus. He explains his regrets over Cyprus’ accession into the European Union in 2004, and argues that the UK needs to use its unique influence in the region to ensure that this 50 year frozen conflict is resolved for the benefit of both states on the island.

LISTEN: President Tatar speaks to the BBC on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Türkiye’s Peace Operation

19 July, 2024

Newsday, BBC World Service

President Tatar speaks to the BBC World Service’s ‘Newsday’ programme about how the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus plans on commemorating Türkiye’s peace operation in 1974 that prevented a genocide of the Turkish Cypriot People. He explains why Türkiye was acting legally in its role as a Guarantor Power to protect both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and why its role on the island remains critical, alongside the UK’s.

Northern Cyprus celebrates 50th anniversary of peace

16 July, 2024

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will mark the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation with a weekend of celebrations.

Over the course of the weekend, Turkish Cypriots will hold several events to celebrate the arrival of Turkish peacekeepers on Cyprus in 1974. Their arrival ended Greek Cypriot attempts to cleanse the island of Turkish Cypriots and to enforce an illegal Enosis with Greece.

There will be three main events marking the anniversary of this vital peacekeeping operation.
On the evening of Friday 19th July, Turkish Cypriots will gather for a torch lit rally on the beach at Girne, where Turkish forces first landed, to demonstrate their respect and gratitude for the surviving veterans who saved them from genocide.

Saturday morning, 20th July, will see the start of the main celebrations with a military parade through Lefkosa, the capital of the TRNC, followed by speeches from the President of the TRNC – Ersin Tatar, and the Turkish President – Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to the people of Northern Cyprus and commemorating those who died to prevent genocide.

In the afternoon, there will be a spectacular air display over Girne Harbour by the Turkish Stars and Solo Turk. The day will end with an invite-only reception at the Presidential Palace.

Our new Labour government can unlock Europe’s last frozen conflict

12 July, 2024

Çetin Ramadan, Comment Central

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has the chance to do something radical with his foreign policy. He can finally end Europe’s last frozen conflict and recognise a country that is pivotal to regional stability and home to thousands of Brits.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is critical to the UK’s security. Without recognising it, Britain is giving up our crucial position in the region to Russia and Iran. Keir Starmer and David Lammy can stop this.

Calls from Westminster for direct flights to the TRNC reach the loudest in years

31 May, 2024

Samantha Mayling, TravelWeekly

54 British parliamentarians support commencing direct flights to Northern Cyprus in the largest show of support for the proposal in years. The initiative, arranged and co-ordinated by the ‘Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus’ campaign, succeeded in bringing politicians from both the Conservative and Labour parties together to call on the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, to support the measure.

Parliamentarians urge Cameron to end discriminatory ban on flights to Northern Cyprus

30 May, 2024

A cross-party group of influential politicians have urged Lord Cameron to end the UK’s punitive and unfair ban on direct flights to Northern Cyprus.

Last week, the parliamentarians wrote to Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, raising serious concerns over the treatment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and calling for “the commencement of direct flights from the United Kingdom to Ercan International Airport – the largest airport on the island of Cyprus”.

They want the Foreign Secretary to end “one of the most restrictive policies of any country in Europe when it comes to air travel to Ercan”.

The move by more than fifty parliamentarians and politicians, including former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, highlights the hypocrisy of the UK’s current position. They point to the UK allowing flights to non-UN member states such as Kosovo, and to countries that it doesn’t recognise such as Taiwan. The question is “why not to Northern Cyprus?”

Air travel to the TRNC is not a risk and there is no history of poor safety. Indeed, Ercan Airport abides by international aviation security standards, and safely hosts hundreds of thousands of passengers each year.

They warn that if the UK continues to fail to engage with the TRNC, it will “risk letting countries such as Russia and Iran do so instead – fundamentally challenging the UK’s strategic foothold in the eastern Mediterranean.”

This call for action from the 300,000 strong Turkish Cypriot diaspora comes as a new general election has been announced. Turkish Cypriots, their friends and families, will
also be putting pressure on both the Government and other major parties to commit to ending this unjust situation.

Chet Ramadan, founder of Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus, said: “It is time that the UK ends their regressive ban on flights to the TRNC. This is something that was promised 20 years ago and has yet to be fulfilled.

“300,000 Turkish Cypriots live in the UK, and 15,000 British expats live in Northern Cyprus. The onerous and unnecessary flight rules only create a cruel burden for those wishing to visit family members or go on holiday.

“UK parties must commit to allowing direct flights to restart and we will repeat this call to whoever forms the next government.”