Northern Cyprus urges end to embargo

Faud Safarov. Exclusively to VK

Cyprus is one of the most attractive islands of the world from point of view of geography, trade, politics, and strategy. Cyprus is the third large island of the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia. It is situated in the north-eastern part of the sea.

The political issue of the island is still unsettled. It had belonged to the Ottoman Empire, but in the 19th century England captured the island by deceptive policy. According to Turkish sources, England used the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 and on the pretext of “help against Russians” managed to lease Cyprus for 92 thousand gold pieces per year. According to the agreement, the leasing was temporal and after elimination of threat the island must be given back. However, England started to develop plans on occupation of Cyprus. During the First World War Turkey became an ally Germany, and England announced about annexation of Cyprus. It was confirmed by the treaty signed on July 10, 1923. But Greeks began national movement on consolidation of the island with Greece. For implementation of the plan Greeks, as well as Turks who were against the plan, took armaments. However, soon both nations decided to fight for independence through struggle against Englishmen. England, Turkey, and Greece signed the Zurich Treaty on February 11, 1958, and the London Treaty on February 19, 1958, which required that both communities are equal partners-guarantors.

The Foreign Minister of Northern Cyprus says, reminding those events: “Cyprus Turks respected the signed treaties and did their best for two-nation independence of Cyprus. But Greeks right after signing of the Zurich and London treaties openly stated that they considered the agreements not as an objective but as an instrument which should lead them to the national consolidation, enosis.”

On November 30, 1963, Archbishop Makarios suggested 13 provisions on “amendments to the constitution.” The provisions forbade “making amendments” to the constitution and were aimed at elimination of Turkish laws which would enable the Greeks to play a more significant role in the governmental management. The key objective was to make Greeks “Cyprus nation,” eliminate partnership and make Turks ethnic minority. Cyprus Greeks attacked Cyprus Turks all over the island on December 21, 1963.

The events lasted till 1974. According to Turkish sources, hundreds of Turks were killed, 30 thousand left their homes. In 1974, after the Greek military junta had organized a revolution on Cyprus, Turkey started the peacemaking operation on the island. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was established, in the south Greeks continued to live under the title of the Republic of Cyprus. At the moment none of countries except for Turkey has recognized TRNC.

In 2004 when Cyprus Greeks prepared for accession to the EU the UN secretary Kofi Annan developed the plan of the island’s consolidation. On April 24, 2004, the referendum showed that 65% of Northern Cyprus’s residents voted “for” the plan, and 75% of Southern Cyprus’s residents voted “against” the plan. In a month the Greek part of Cyprus became a member of the EU. The leader of Northern Cyprus heavily criticized the UN and the EU.

This year at the festival devoted to the 38th anniversary of the peacemaking operation on the island Cyprus Turks stated that they still support negotiations on settlement of the Cyprus issue and suggested to eliminate embargo. President of TRNC Dervish Eroglu criticized the UN and the EU for the policy of double standards and punishment of the suffering side.

Answering VK’s question on the policy of the Kremlin towards Cyprus, Eroglu said: “We expect Russia will keep an independent position. The question on negotiations is still open. The Russian ambassador in Southern Cyprus promised the Greek authorities that in case of such suggestions in the Security Council, he will reject them. I think it is necessary to refuse from such approaches.”