Cyprus-Forum.com

[MrH]

Does Isolation on "TCs" ONLY Mean Recognition?

Please think about the question above, as many foreign mediators are viewing it very seriously.

If it's the Republic of Turkey that is being blamed for "Occupying" Northern Cyprus, then why is the "Isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people only?

Why are the Turkish Cypriot pushed to only work under the "Republic of Turkey"?

We all know that the lifting of the isolation (trade embargo; being it political and economic on the Turkish Cypriots - let's say by allowing direct flights to Ercan airport, Northern Cyprus) could never materialise into a UN Recognised state, unless those particular UN registered states officially recognise it the TRNC, then why are the TURKISH CYPRIOTS being blamed (have to suffer) for the so-called policies of Turkey?

Why isn't any embargoes imposed of the people/ or nation state of the Republic of Turkey?

The Turkish Cypriots live within what they (obviously we) called the TRNC, or the Turkish Cypriot State, or Northern Cyprus - it actually has three functioning identities depending on who or how it is viewed:

OIC = regard us as the "Turkish Cypriot State"
EU = view us as "Northern Cyprus" as the Laws and Regulations stop at the Cease Fireline, thus view us as more of a "Geographical" entity.
Turkey = View us as ALL of the above, very confusing!!!!!

So, if I may reiterate the main emphasis of my question, could the isolation of the "Turkish Cypriot" people only always mean the ACCEPTANCE of "Turkish Cypriots" as a different peoples/ nation/ State?

Clearly the Isolation is NOT, and CAN NOT be in conjunction with the establishment of the "TRNC", as if it were, and with Turkey the only country recognising it, the same isolation would be imposed on the Republic of Turkey for advocating and promoting it?

Therefore, am I correct in saying that the Isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is nothing to do with any acknowledgement of the TRNC, in anyway or form. Am I also correct in saying that by isolating the Turkish Cypriot people, the world, and the EU in particular, is actually PROMOTING (Strongly Advocating) the dependency of all political, security and economic elements on the Republic of Turkey.

Am I not correct in saying that if the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot were lifted (by perhaps allowing direct flights from all EU Countries to “Ercan” Airport, CYPRUS) is would HELP ALL areas of reconciliation in the search for an acceptable and amicable Cyprus Solution, perhaps even shifting the Economic burden of redevelopment as part of a Federal Agreement.

And, Finally, Do you not agree that without the removal of the ISOLATION on the Turkish Cypriot people (at least by the so-called democratic, diplomatic European Union), the current round of UN talks between by Christofias and Talat are bound to fail?

It's one thing NOT to Recognise a country that has declared itself a Republic state/Country (this is common and can be witnessed around the Globe with disputed territories like Taiwan) but to COMPLETELY ISOLATE, and leave the small populated Turkish Cypriot people under the mercy of the Republic of Turkey is both very undemocratic, inconsiderate and unacceptable, and does not, in any way, conform with the laws and regulations the European Union so strongly believe in. It's almost criminal!

Turkey may be the Motherland country (from 1571) we Turkish Cypriots affiliate to, as similar to the relationship with Greece and the Greek Cypriots or even the white Americans and Ireland/England (at least we can agree on that!), but similarly to the Greek Cypriots and white Americans we Turkish Cypriots are also different to the people of Turkey!

By (the EU, and the Greek Cypriots in particular) keeping such a strong hold on the isolation of our Turkish Cypriot people, you are only, and completely, "Turkishifying" a Turkish Cypriot nation!

Clearly, if we remain isolated and completely dependent on the Republic of Turkey any longer - if it has not happened already (as I have witnessed first hand myself) our unique Turkish Cypriot Accent (for instance) will vanish into midair, including many more (although small) differences as islanders which make/made us unique and different than the mainland "Turkish people" will be gone forever!

Kind regards,
Mr H

[DT.]

Under which government would the responsibility of Tymbou airport fall under?

[wallace]

Does Isolation on "TCs" ONLY Mean Recognition?

Please think about the question above, as many foreign mediators are viewing it very seriously.

If it's the Republic of Turkey that is being blamed for "Occupying" Northern Cyprus, then why is the "Isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people only?

Why are the Turkish Cypriot pushed to only work under the "Republic of Turkey"?

We all know that the lifting of the isolation (trade embargo; being it political and economic on the Turkish Cypriots - let's say by allowing direct flights to Ercan airport, Northern Cyprus) could never materialise into a UN Recognised state, unless those particular UN registered states officially recognise it the TRNC, then why are the TURKISH CYPRIOTS being blamed (have to suffer) for the so-called policies of Turkey?

Why isn't any embargoes imposed of the people/ or nation state of the Republic of Turkey?

The Turkish Cypriots live within what they (obviously we) called the TRNC, or the Turkish Cypriot State, or Northern Cyprus - it actually has three functioning identities depending on who or how it is viewed:

OIC = regard us as the "Turkish Cypriot State"
EU = view us as "Northern Cyprus" as the Laws and Regulations stop at the Cease Fireline, thus view us as more of a "Geographical" entity.
Turkey = View us as ALL of the above, very confusing!!!!!

So, if I may reiterate the main emphasis of my question, could the isolation of the "Turkish Cypriot" people only always mean the ACCEPTANCE of "Turkish Cypriots" as a different peoples/ nation/ State?

Clearly the Isolation is NOT, and CAN NOT be in conjunction with the establishment of the "TRNC", as if it were, and with Turkey the only country recognising it, the same isolation would be imposed on the Republic of Turkey for advocating and promoting it?

Therefore, am I correct in saying that the Isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is nothing to do with any acknowledgement of the TRNC, in anyway or form. Am I also correct in saying that by isolating the Turkish Cypriot people, the world, and the EU in particular, is actually PROMOTING (Strongly Advocating) the dependency of all political, security and economic elements on the Republic of Turkey.

Am I not correct in saying that if the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot were lifted (by perhaps allowing direct flights from all EU Countries to “Ercan” Airport, CYPRUS) is would HELP ALL areas of reconciliation in the search for an acceptable and amicable Cyprus Solution, perhaps even shifting the Economic burden of redevelopment as part of a Federal Agreement.

And, Finally, Do you not agree that without the removal of the ISOLATION on the Turkish Cypriot people (at least by the so-called democratic, diplomatic European Union), the current round of UN talks between by Christofias and Talat are bound to fail?

It's one thing NOT to Recognise a country that has declared itself a Republic state/Country (this is common and can be witnessed around the Globe with disputed territories like Taiwan) but to COMPLETELY ISOLATE, and leave the small populated Turkish Cypriot people under the mercy of the Republic of Turkey is both very undemocratic, inconsiderate and unacceptable, and does not, in any way, conform with the laws and regulations the European Union so strongly believe in. It's almost criminal!

Turkey may be the Motherland country (from 1571) we Turkish Cypriots affiliate to, as similar to the relationship with Greece and the Greek Cypriots or even the white Americans and Ireland/England (at least we can agree on that!), but similarly to the Greek Cypriots and white Americans we Turkish Cypriots are also different to the people of Turkey!

By (the EU, and the Greek Cypriots in particular) keeping such a strong hold on the isolation of our Turkish Cypriot people, you are only, and completely, "Turkishifying" a Turkish Cypriot nation!

Clearly, if we remain isolated and completely dependent on the Republic of Turkey any longer - if it has not happened already (as I have witnessed first hand myself) our unique Turkish Cypriot Accent (for instance) will vanish into midair, including many more (although small) differences as islanders which make/made us unique and different than the mainland "Turkish people" will be gone forever!

Kind regards,
Mr H

The Northern part of Cyprus is occupied by the Turks. They created a state just because they felt like it on land which does not belong to them. TC's are not isolated......they can go where ever they like on the island of Cyprus and enjoy all the benefits GC's also have. Regarding the vanishing of the TC identity.....TC's are to blame.....you choose to life with the settlers and do nothing to stop the Turks from bringing more.

[Viewpoint]

Does Isolation on "TCs" ONLY Mean Recognition?

Please think about the question above, as many foreign mediators are viewing it very seriously.

If it's the Republic of Turkey that is being blamed for "Occupying" Northern Cyprus, then why is the "Isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people only?

Why are the Turkish Cypriot pushed to only work under the "Republic of Turkey"?

We all know that the lifting of the isolation (trade embargo; being it political and economic on the Turkish Cypriots - let's say by allowing direct flights to Ercan airport, Northern Cyprus) could never materialise into a UN Recognised state, unless those particular UN registered states officially recognise it the TRNC, then why are the TURKISH CYPRIOTS being blamed (have to suffer) for the so-called policies of Turkey?

Why isn't any embargoes imposed of the people/ or nation state of the Republic of Turkey?

The Turkish Cypriots live within what they (obviously we) called the TRNC, or the Turkish Cypriot State, or Northern Cyprus - it actually has three functioning identities depending on who or how it is viewed:

OIC = regard us as the "Turkish Cypriot State"
EU = view us as "Northern Cyprus" as the Laws and Regulations stop at the Cease Fireline, thus view us as more of a "Geographical" entity.
Turkey = View us as ALL of the above, very confusing!!!!!

So, if I may reiterate the main emphasis of my question, could the isolation of the "Turkish Cypriot" people only always mean the ACCEPTANCE of "Turkish Cypriots" as a different peoples/ nation/ State?

Clearly the Isolation is NOT, and CAN NOT be in conjunction with the establishment of the "TRNC", as if it were, and with Turkey the only country recognising it, the same isolation would be imposed on the Republic of Turkey for advocating and promoting it?

Therefore, am I correct in saying that the Isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is nothing to do with any acknowledgement of the TRNC, in anyway or form. Am I also correct in saying that by isolating the Turkish Cypriot people, the world, and the EU in particular, is actually PROMOTING (Strongly Advocating) the dependency of all political, security and economic elements on the Republic of Turkey.

Am I not correct in saying that if the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot were lifted (by perhaps allowing direct flights from all EU Countries to “Ercan” Airport, CYPRUS) is would HELP ALL areas of reconciliation in the search for an acceptable and amicable Cyprus Solution, perhaps even shifting the Economic burden of redevelopment as part of a Federal Agreement.

And, Finally, Do you not agree that without the removal of the ISOLATION on the Turkish Cypriot people (at least by the so-called democratic, diplomatic European Union), the current round of UN talks between by Christofias and Talat are bound to fail?

It's one thing NOT to Recognise a country that has declared itself a Republic state/Country (this is common and can be witnessed around the Globe with disputed territories like Taiwan) but to COMPLETELY ISOLATE, and leave the small populated Turkish Cypriot people under the mercy of the Republic of Turkey is both very undemocratic, inconsiderate and unacceptable, and does not, in any way, conform with the laws and regulations the European Union so strongly believe in. It's almost criminal!

Turkey may be the Motherland country (from 1571) we Turkish Cypriots affiliate to, as similar to the relationship with Greece and the Greek Cypriots or even the white Americans and Ireland/England (at least we can agree on that!), but similarly to the Greek Cypriots and white Americans we Turkish Cypriots are also different to the people of Turkey!

By (the EU, and the Greek Cypriots in particular) keeping such a strong hold on the isolation of our Turkish Cypriot people, you are only, and completely, "Turkishifying" a Turkish Cypriot nation!

Clearly, if we remain isolated and completely dependent on the Republic of Turkey any longer - if it has not happened already (as I have witnessed first hand myself) our unique Turkish Cypriot Accent (for instance) will vanish into midair, including many more (although small) differences as islanders which make/made us unique and different than the mainland "Turkish people" will be gone forever!

Kind regards,
Mr H

The Northern part of Cyprus is occupied by the Turks. They created a state just because they felt like it on land which does not belong to them. TC's are not isolated......they can go where ever they like on the island of Cyprus and enjoy all the benefits GC's also have. Regarding the vanishing of the TC identity.....TC's are to blame.....you choose to life with the settlers and do nothing to stop the Turks from bringing more.

"Just because they felt like it" how ignorant can you be.

[MrH]

Hi DT,

You said:

Under which government would the responsibility of Tymbou airport fall under?

The answer is simple, where I would like to use Taiwan as an example.

In the eyes of the Turkish Cypriots it will be under the TRNC, but obviously for the rest it will be the "Administration of Northern Cyprus". Again, as similar to the case of Taiwan, there are always ways around NOT ISOLATING people if you particularly do not want to Recognise their self-determined Republic state, or if it is disputed, or waiting (waiting for an overall comprehensive agreement).

All I am saying is that the "Isolation" has no grounding, it is illegal, and should not be allowed to continue. If it's the recognition of the TRNC the Greek Cypriot are afraid of, then don't recognise us - it shouldn't affect our right to trade.

Look at it this way, the GCs will never refer to "Tymbou" as "Ercan", so, let it be. Let Ercan be be known as "Tymbou" to the GCs, let Northern Cyprus, to the GCs be known as "The Occupied Area", why should that constitute the right to isolate the ENTIRE Turkish Cypriot people of their humanitarian rights to trade and interact with the world?

The current policy adopted by the Greek Cypriots is obviously damaging in more areas than they fully realise, and convincing the EU in following the same. It's hilarious! Their actions almost seem childish - who really are the decision makers of these people?

And they accuse Turkey for being un-democratic! What a shame the EU and Greek Cypriots act against the Turkish Cypriots far worse than the Republic of Turkey - Shame on them, you!

[Get Real!]

Does Isolation on "TCs" ONLY Mean Recognition?

I used to think you know nothing about Cyprus but now I'm convinced your command of English is just as bad...

What is this nonsense???

[DT.]

Hi DT,

You said:

Under which government would the responsibility of Tymbou airport fall under?

The answer is simple, where I would like to use Taiwan as an example.

In the eyes of the Turkish Cypriots it will be under the TRNC, but obviously for the rest it will be the "Administration of Northern Cyprus". Again, as similar to the case of Taiwan, there are always ways around NOT ISOLATING people if you particularly do not want to Recognise their self-determined Republic state, or if it is disputed, or waiting (waiting for an overall comprehensive agreement).

All I am saying is that the "Isolation" has no grounding, it is illegal, and should not be allowed to continue. If it's the recognition of the TRNC the Greek Cypriot are afraid of, then don't recognise us - it shouldn't affect our right to trade.

Look at it this way, the GCs will never refer to "Tymbou" as "Ercan", so, let it be. Let Ercan be be known as "Tymbou" to the GCs, let Northern Cyprus, to the GCs be known as "The Occupied Area", why should that constitute the right to isolate the ENTIRE Turkish Cypriot people of their humanitarian rights to trade and interact with the world?

The current policy adopted by the Greek Cypriots is obviously damaging in more areas than they fully realise, and convincing the EU in following the same. It's hilarious! Their actions almost seem childish - who really are the decision makers of these people?

And they accuse Turkey for being un-democratic! What a shame the EU and Greek Cypriots act against the Turkish Cypriots far worse than the Republic of Turkey - Shame on them, you!

FLights landing in Tymbou are impossible due to a number of reasons which we've already covered on the Chicago COnvention in numerous
posts in the past. You claim your human right to trade but forget the rights of 1/3 of the population of this island to occupy their own homes. You have taken their land, towns and villages and now wish to trade freely the bounty of this land with other nations. I don't know what kind of idiots you take us for but if this concession is ever given to the TC's before our human rights are re-instated there will be a revolution in Cyprus.

Scream and shout all you want, facts don't change, you're sitting on stolen property and we'll make life as difficult as possible until you give it back.

[Kikapu]

MrH,

It is the illegal entity of the "trnc" that is facing isolation and non recognition from the rest of the world and not the Turkish Cypriots themselves. The TC's can trade all they want with the outside world, participate in sports, but only if they go through the legal entity on the island, the RoC, because the territory that the "trnc" sits on is part of the RoC, said by the UN, EU and the world really. Even the so called Muslim brother countries are not accepting your argument. Good luck with the rest of the world.

[wallace]

Does Isolation on "TCs" ONLY Mean Recognition?

Please think about the question above, as many foreign mediators are viewing it very seriously.

If it's the Republic of Turkey that is being blamed for "Occupying" Northern Cyprus, then why is the "Isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people only?

Why are the Turkish Cypriot pushed to only work under the "Republic of Turkey"?

We all know that the lifting of the isolation (trade embargo; being it political and economic on the Turkish Cypriots - let's say by allowing direct flights to Ercan airport, Northern Cyprus) could never materialise into a UN Recognised state, unless those particular UN registered states officially recognise it the TRNC, then why are the TURKISH CYPRIOTS being blamed (have to suffer) for the so-called policies of Turkey?

Why isn't any embargoes imposed of the people/ or nation state of the Republic of Turkey?

The Turkish Cypriots live within what they (obviously we) called the TRNC, or the Turkish Cypriot State, or Northern Cyprus - it actually has three functioning identities depending on who or how it is viewed:

OIC = regard us as the "Turkish Cypriot State"
EU = view us as "Northern Cyprus" as the Laws and Regulations stop at the Cease Fireline, thus view us as more of a "Geographical" entity.
Turkey = View us as ALL of the above, very confusing!!!!!

So, if I may reiterate the main emphasis of my question, could the isolation of the "Turkish Cypriot" people only always mean the ACCEPTANCE of "Turkish Cypriots" as a different peoples/ nation/ State?

Clearly the Isolation is NOT, and CAN NOT be in conjunction with the establishment of the "TRNC", as if it were, and with Turkey the only country recognising it, the same isolation would be imposed on the Republic of Turkey for advocating and promoting it?

Therefore, am I correct in saying that the Isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is nothing to do with any acknowledgement of the TRNC, in anyway or form. Am I also correct in saying that by isolating the Turkish Cypriot people, the world, and the EU in particular, is actually PROMOTING (Strongly Advocating) the dependency of all political, security and economic elements on the Republic of Turkey.

Am I not correct in saying that if the isolation on the Turkish Cypriot were lifted (by perhaps allowing direct flights from all EU Countries to “Ercan” Airport, CYPRUS) is would HELP ALL areas of reconciliation in the search for an acceptable and amicable Cyprus Solution, perhaps even shifting the Economic burden of redevelopment as part of a Federal Agreement.

And, Finally, Do you not agree that without the removal of the ISOLATION on the Turkish Cypriot people (at least by the so-called democratic, diplomatic European Union), the current round of UN talks between by Christofias and Talat are bound to fail?

It's one thing NOT to Recognise a country that has declared itself a Republic state/Country (this is common and can be witnessed around the Globe with disputed territories like Taiwan) but to COMPLETELY ISOLATE, and leave the small populated Turkish Cypriot people under the mercy of the Republic of Turkey is both very undemocratic, inconsiderate and unacceptable, and does not, in any way, conform with the laws and regulations the European Union so strongly believe in. It's almost criminal!

Turkey may be the Motherland country (from 1571) we Turkish Cypriots affiliate to, as similar to the relationship with Greece and the Greek Cypriots or even the white Americans and Ireland/England (at least we can agree on that!), but similarly to the Greek Cypriots and white Americans we Turkish Cypriots are also different to the people of Turkey!

By (the EU, and the Greek Cypriots in particular) keeping such a strong hold on the isolation of our Turkish Cypriot people, you are only, and completely, "Turkishifying" a Turkish Cypriot nation!

Clearly, if we remain isolated and completely dependent on the Republic of Turkey any longer - if it has not happened already (as I have witnessed first hand myself) our unique Turkish Cypriot Accent (for instance) will vanish into midair, including many more (although small) differences as islanders which make/made us unique and different than the mainland "Turkish people" will be gone forever!

Kind regards,
Mr H

The Northern part of Cyprus is occupied by the Turks. They created a state just because they felt like it on land which does not belong to them. TC's are not isolated......they can go where ever they like on the island of Cyprus and enjoy all the benefits GC's also have. Regarding the vanishing of the TC identity.....TC's are to blame.....you choose to life with the settlers and do nothing to stop the Turks from bringing more.

"Just because they felt like it" how ignorant can you be.

Why did they create your pseudo state then? To give the TC's a country to life in?? Your so called TRNC is not recognised by anybody and will never be recognised....accept by turkey=fascist state......who is the ignorant one here?

[MrH]

Wallace Said:

The Northern part of Cyprus is occupied by the Turks. They created a state just because they felt like it on land which does not belong to them. TC's are not isolated......they can go where ever they like on the island of Cyprus and enjoy all the benefits GC's also have. Regarding the vanishing of the TC identity.....TC's are to blame.....you choose to life with the settlers and do nothing to stop the Turks from bringing more.

TCs are NOT Isolated! Sorry Wallace by you are clouded. The TCs can do almost anything, you are right there, as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, and not as a Citizen of Northern Cyprus or the Island of Cyprus. Turkey Intervened in Northern Cyprus under the CALL of ALL Turkish and Greek Cypriots in 1974, but of course you are probably to young to have witnessed that for yourself!

However, what DOES THE ISOLATION have to do with what you've tried to prove about? Did you not read my reasoning clearing Wallace?

If what you say above is truly what you believe, and will not sway from such a mindset, then I would say that any reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots is futile.

The Turkish Cypriots are very much isolated - here are a few simple examples:

2) No Business trading contract are awarded to the Turkish Cypriots from "Cyprus", "Northern Cyprus" or any affiliation of Cyprus unless it's as MERSIN 10, Turkey.

3) Flights from any country in the world heading, as its final destination to Northern Cyprus, MUST, and CAN ONLY, pass through Turkey.

Here are some more, in Summary:
UN Resolution 186
Ban on Direct Communication
Ban on Sporting / Cultural Events
Ban on Direct Trade
Ban on Representation
Ban on Economic Development and International Aid
Ban on Direct Travel
Ban on Academia

In Detail:
UN Resolution 186
UN Resolution 186 was passed on 4 March 1964 as part of the UN’s commitment to end the violence in Cyprus caused by the Greek Cypriot’s bloody coup in December 1963.
Unfortunately, this badly worded Resolution referred to working with the “Government of Cyprus”, which at that time was 100% staffed with Greek Cypriots.

Greek Cypriots have used this to assert themselves as the sole “legitimate” authority on the island, even though this contradicts with the 1960 Constitution of Cyprus where both Turkish and Greek Cypriots are politically equal.

At the same time, the passing of this Resolution marked the start of four decades of embargoes against Turkish Cypriots who refused to accept this state of affairs.

Ban on Direct Communication
To date, North Cyprus' postal administration has been denied any status within the Universal Postal Union and Turkish Cypriots do not have internationally recognised addresses or telephone numbers. All mail and calls to and from North Cyprus must go via Turkey.
As a result, the entire 220,000 citizens of North Cyprus are relegated to a PO Box, with all mail to and from North Cyprus having to go via Mersin 10, Turkey.

Ban on Sporting / Cultural Events
Turkish Cypriots are not allowed to participate or host international teams, or sporting/cultural events. The extent of these embargoes are vast, no teams or individuals from North Cyprus have participated at any of the following since December 1963, Olympic and Commonwealth Games, World and European sporting tournaments such as athletics championships or football competitions.

In April 2005, Cyprus Football Association (the Greek Cypriot football authorities), prevented an English team, Huddersfield Town AFC, from playing a friendly football match in North Cyprus. This was in spite of the English Football Association having no objection to this game and overlooks the historical right of Turkish Cypriots to their own football federation, which dates back to 1955.
In 2004, Greek Cypriots prevented the Olympic torch from travelling into North Cyprus as part of its global journey before reaching Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games.

FIFA fined a German soccer team, Bad Lippspinge, 20,000 US dollars in September 1998 for playing a football match with the Turkish Cypriot team Çetinkaya.

Ban on Direct Trade
On 29 April 2004, the European Union (EU) passed the EU Green Line Directive to establish direct trade between North and South Cyprus. Since that date, North Cyprus has introduced unilaterally many measures to facilitate such trade, including enabling South Cyprus produced goods to be sold in the North and for commercial vehicles (buses, lorries, taxis, etc.) registered in the South to operate in the North. Yet to date, South Cyprus has failed to reciprocate, fining people for purchases made in the North and preventing North Cyprus businessmen from operating freely in the South.

On 24 August 2004, the first consignment of goods - fresh fish from North Cyprus - failed to cross the Green Line into South Cyprus. Greek Cypriots claimed they did not have sufficient information on "the state of animal health in the above mentioned areas" and until such time that it did, "the movement of animals and animal products will be prohibited". To date, this decision has not been reversed.

The Cyprus High Commissioner in London has issued threatening letters to UK businesses (property exhibition organisers, real estate agencies, etc.) advising them not to promote the sale of properties in North Cyprus or be faced with law suits. These letters (click here to see a copy of one) not only exceed the bounds of diplomatic protocol, but also hamper legitimate business practice.

Although world leaders made many pledges to end the isolation of North Cyprus (click here to read our World Promises report ) following Turkish Cypriots' vote in favour of the Annan Plan during the referenda of 24 April 2004, there have been no international remedies to the barriers that have denied Turkish Cypriots direct trade links to other world markets, a situation they have endured for four decades.
Ban on Representation

Turkish Cypriots were the political partners of the Republic of Cyprus that was established in 1960. They were politically equal to the Greek Cypriots, with the power of veto and many separate legal and political rights that were enshrined in the Cyprus Constitution. This state of affairs was destroyed by the Greek Cypriots when they launched a sustained attack on Turkish Cypriots in December 1963, which lasted until the Turkish intervention in 1974.

After twenty years of failed negotiations to reunite the island, Turkish Cypriots exercised their rights to self-determination in a bid to overcome Greek Cypriot efforts to deny their constitutional rights as politically equal partners in Cyprus.

However, due to the Greek Cypriot authorities’ claim that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is "illegitimate", the Turkish Cypriot people have been denied the right of representation in any international forum for the past forty years.

Ban on economic development and international aid
Foreign investors have been discouraged from entering Turkish Cypriot territory for years through a combination of unwarranted legal threats and a continuous barrage of Greek Cypriot propaganda, resulting in minimal international capital flowing into North Cyprus. As a result, there is a massive difference between the two economies on the island: the national revenue in the Republic of Cyprus accounted for $14.82 billion in 2003, while revenues in North Cyprus were only $1.217 billion in the same period.

Embargoes have meant the North Cyprus cannot be recognised as a candidate for loans by the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank.

In 2004, the EU pledged a 259 million euros (£176m) aid package for Turkish Cypriots to help bolster their weakened economy. This aid has been consistently blocked by Greek Cypriots who continue to benefit as one of the most subsidised countries in the world, receiving massive aid through bilateral & international negotiations for those living in South Cyprus.

Ban on Direct Travel
Greek Cypriots continue to falsely propagate that North Cyprus is "illegally occupied". As a result, Turkish Cypriot ports & airports have been closed to direct international trade and travel since 1974. Travel to North Cyprus can only take place via Turkey. The requirement of a stopover in Turkey increases the time & cost of travel, discouraging both visitors and potential businesspeople from entering North Cyprus.
It should be noted that on 27 July 2005, a private Azerbaijan airline, Imair, became the fourth airline to break these inhumane embargoes and fly direct to North Cyprus.

Many countries do not recognise a passport issued by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, forcing many Turkish Cypriots to obtain this document from either Turkey or from the Republic of Cyprus so they can travel around the world, which adds cost and time, and a loss of identity.
Greek Cypriots use the number of Turkish Cypriots holding Republic of Cyprus passports as a tool to claim they are the only legitimate authority on the island - they fail to add that it is through the Greek Cypriot imposed embargoes that Turkish Cypriots are forced to apply for these documents.

Ban on Academia
North Cyprus is home to five universities teaching in the English language which annually provide education to over 25,000 students. Yet these institutions, their students and scholars constantly face academic embargoes.

North Cyprus' largest institution, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) recently applied to join the European University Association and tried to obtain Erasmus University Charter status (and related funding), both have been refused. EMU scholars' requests for international research grants have also been blocked, while efforts by an EMU based Palestinian student to access the international scheme International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) resulted in a particularly distressing response when he was accused of committing a "criminal act" for "residing in the occupied area".