Cyprus-Forum.com

[kimon07]

So no deal.

No way! Not the way you dream of it.

[Viewpoint]

So no deal.

No way! Not the way you dream of it.

So noway at all, are we suprised? NO.

[kimon07]

So no deal.

No way! Not the way you dream of it.

So noway at all, are we suprised? NO.

I have a feeling YOU will be soon.

[Viewpoint]

So no deal.

No way! Not the way you dream of it.

So noway at all, are we suprised? NO.

I have a feeling YOU will be soon.

You were saying the same in 1974 and look what happened there.

[Demonax]

So no deal.

No way! Not the way you dream of it.

One thing that VP doesn't seem to understand is that according to international law, only the recognised Republic of Cyprus can give permission for direct flights on its territory and airspace. It would also mean that Turkey would have to sign an aviation agreement with the Republic of Cyprus [thus 'recognising' it]. Turkey and the TCs would also have to accept that the Republic of Cyprus would be required by international aviation law to have control of security and customs at Tymbou.

In order, therefore, to have direct flights to Tymbou, it means that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would have to accept the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the whole island and also have the Republic, in effect, run the airport. The occupation regime would not simply be able to run the airport at Tymbou as it does now.

This is why Denktash refused the opening of Tymbou airport in exchange for Varosha previously and why he asked for the opening of ports in the north for trade as compensation for the return of Varosha.

Despite the economic benefits opening Tymbou would have brought the north, Denktash and Turkey were not prepared to 'recognise' the Republic which opening the airport would have necessitated. Instead they preferred to choose continuing isolation.

[bill cobbett]

Very definitive post on the subject Demon.

[Viewpoint]

Whats the difference in the air and sea ports? Why is one recognition and the other not?

[Lordo]

thats because ercan threatens their tourist industry. especially those built on tc land.

[Demonax]

Very definitive post on the subject Demon.

Just to clarify a couple of things: it is Turkey and the TCs who prevent direct flights to the north because they refuse to recognise that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has sole right of representation.

Because the Republic is recognised internationally as the government of the whole island, it needs the consent of the Republic to allow direct flights to Tymbou.

As a compromise there was an attempt to discuss the opening of Nicosia International Airport to benefit both sides. But Denktash scuppered it for the same reasons I outlined above: it needed consent and supervision of the RoC as the legitimate government. Also, the TCs refused to contemplate allowing Cyprus Airways to operate out of Nicosia as I recall!

But the opening of Nicosia would still have benefited the TCs mainly - adding up to 20 per cent on their GDP. But the TCs were not prepared to give up Varosha for direct flights to Nicosia - because, as you guessed it, the airport could only operate under the legal jurisdiction of the RoC - meaning that Turkey and the TCs would accept the Republic of Cyprus's sovereignty - even if implicitly - over the entire island.

It was then that Denktash asked for direct flights solely out of Tymbou airport, all restrictions lifted on ports in the occupied areas, and for the RoC to officially give up its claim to sovereignty over the north - in exchange for Varosha. Which we naturally rejected. And that's been the Turkish position ever since.

The bottom line is that TCs were offered direct flights out of Nicosia International Airport under joint supervision which would have ended the 'embargo'. But they declined it because what they really wanted, and still want, is a separate state. Not direct flights.

[kimon07]

Whats the difference in the air.......

With one word? F.I.R.

....and sea ports? Why is one recognition and the other not?

Because the port of Famagusta will operate only when the port is put under the controll of the authorities of the R.O.C.