UK’S key role in Cyprus states bid
BRITAIN can play a vital role in ending the political crisis which has divided Cyprus for almost six decades.
The president of Turkish Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, urged the UK to back his plan for a two-state solution at talks in Geneva this week.
A resolution would help the 300,000 Turkish Cypriots in Britain whose country is not recognised. Direct flights would also be allowed for the first time.
Thousands of British citizens in Northern Cyprus would also be able to come and go more easily, while it could become a popular holiday destination along with the south.
At one point in the Brexit negotiations, British citizens living in Northern Cyprus were threatened with arrest and fines if they crossed into the south, as EU leaders tried to put pressure on the UK for a deal.
Mr Tatar believes that after Brexit freed Britain from the EU it can now fulfil its role as a neutral guarantor.whitehall sources said that UK ministers are now considering officially recognising Northern Cyprus as an independent country.
A deal could also bring a longterm agreement on the UK’S two military bases in Cyprus.
The island has been divided since 1964, when ethnic conflict forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece’s annexation led to Turkey’s military intervention as a guarantor.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was officially founded in 1983. Since then many attempts have been made to create a federal solution.
Recently, former foreign secretary Jack Straw admitted it had been a mistake to allow Cyprus to become a member of the EU until the issue was resolved.
President Tatar, 60, said: “We don’t want to waste time any longer.”
He said the discovery of oil reserves around the island had only served to increase the tensions. “They [the Greek Cypriots] believe these that will its give
all years Turkey change priorities, up and pull out. But with the developments in the eastern Mediterranean the island has become even more valuable. Turkey will never give up or change its mind.”
He said a two-state plan has the full backing of the Turkish government.
“What we have is a peaceful co-existence with two neighbouring states. Different people, different language, different history, different culture.
“Since 1974 we have been separated. The young generation don’t know one another. They have different language, culture
‘We don’t want to waste time’
‘Turkey will never give up’
and experiences. There have been so many bitter experiences that there is no hope for a federal relationship in the future.
“Therefore we demand that our state is recognised.”
He described the solution as “a win, win” which will allow the two states to co-operate properly, while easing tensions between Greece and Turkey.
He has had “positive talks” with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Europe minister Wendy Morton but said it is the British sense of fair play which can help drive a solution.
He said: “As a friend, I am asking the British community to reconsider what did happen in Cyprus over all these years.”