Tag: Two-State

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

16 October, 2023

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.

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.

The TRNC can follow in Kosovo’s and the island of Ireland’s footsteps

31 July, 2023

The Rt. Hon. Sammy Wilson MP, PoliticsHome

The island of Cyprus need look no further afield than Europe when looking for a tried and tested, workable solution. For 25 years, the island of Ireland has seen steady peace thanks to the Good Friday Agreement. It is a blueprint for how two countries can co-exist on one island successfully.

If the island of Ireland can do it – why not Cyprus? Moreover, if Kosovo can seek its independence from Serbia through the courts, surely it is just double-standards to invalidate the TRNC pursuing its own independence through such means?

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.

Senior politicians to join 30,000 Turkish Cypriots at London festival

30 June, 2023

Senior politicians from the UK and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are set to join thirty thousand people from the Turkish Cypriot community to celebrate its history and culture this weekend in London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and former Conservative Party Leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, will join Ersin Tatar, President of the TRNC, on Sunday (July 2nd) to mark the Turkish Cypriot Cultural Festival at Donkey Lane in Enfield, north London.

President Tatar is expected to use the event to protest that there are no direct flights between the UK and the TRNC , which makes life so difficult for the hundreds of thousands of Turkish Cypriots who travel between the two countries.

Direct flights would also mean that the TRNC would become a more popular destination with British tourists.

Speaking before the event, President Tatar said:
“The Turkish Cypriot community is thriving in Britain. 300,000 Turkish Cypriots have been welcomed into British society.
“I look forward to joining so many in London to celebrate our history, our culture and our important relationship with Britain and British people.

“I want to further enhance our relationship with Britain by establishing direct flights between our two nations which will make it so much easier for the Turkish Cypriot community and will enable us to welcome so many more British friends to the TRNC.”
The festival, organised by the Council of Turkish Cypriots Association (CTCA), is the sixth to take place, with the inaugural event taking place in 2017. However, the past three have been held online because of the pandemic.

The event will bring together tens of thousands of families and friends from the Turkish Cypriot community.

There will be traditional folk dancing, an array of food stalls, arts and crafts and funfair rides and the day will be topped off with a live performance from Işın Karaca, the British-born Turkish Cypriot pop star.

One of the event organisers, Chet Ramadan said:
“After three years of marking this event online, it will be fantastic to celebrate face to face once again. “This festival will bring the Turkish Cypriot community together to mark our unique culture.”

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.