Cyprus EU Association

Political tension has been running high in northern Cyprus lately. For the first time, right wing political parties representing the majority of the electors are disturbed by Turkey’s political interference in northern Cyprus. Dissatisfaction is expressed by their high voiced actions. While right wing parties are boycotting the Parliament and not legitimating/recognizing the newly formed government, CTP a left wing party that gained popularity through the “yes” vote, is giving the good tidings that the coalition government formed with those breakaway parliamentarians from the right wing parties who petitioned for a “no” vote, “will create miracles”. President, who comes from CTP, has approved the new cabinet and expressed his great expectations from the new government.

In reality, external interferences in the northern Cyprus’ politics are not something new to be complainant of. Left wing parties that struggled for many years to come to power were always complainants of interferences. Those who had proclaimed against Turkey that “we do not want your money nor your civil servants” are now saying that” if AK Party has interfered, then interfered, if not, then it did not; this is not interference, it is just a consultation.”

Due to the fact that the recent interference was for the benefit of CTP, and being the one who had asked for it, is defending it by saying that “interference existed for years, why are you complaining now”; in reality CTP authorities are emphasizing that they are not different from any other political parties which were in power in TRNC.

Turkish Cypriot community is disappointed and morally devastated to see CTP who was for decades aggrieved, to find the latest interference acceptable by saying that “they had done it, now we are doing it as well”. This is important for the community to see the bitter realities: any political party that wants to come to power and stay in power will act in similar manner, show the same feebleness and defend it by saying that ”it is quite natural” even though they had opposed such interferences for years. In past, this reality was silently accepted but now that it is being discussed, it is necessary to make use of this for the sake of the Turkish Cypriots future.

The fact that Turkish Cypriots do not possess their free will should not be a “well known secret” any more; it should be discussed and reclaimed. The reality that Turkish influential elements in Turkey over the past years have at different intervals influenced northern Cyprus in every aspect should not be a taboo any more and should be freely and openly discussed. Openly discussing these items holds within itself potentials of useful consequences for both Turkish Cypriots and mainland Turkish people.

Demographic structure, electorate lists, creation of political parties and government formulations in northern Cyprus has always been under the influence of Turkey.

European Court of Human Rights had declared the state in northern Cyprus as “a subordinate state of Turkey” and both north Cyprus authorities and Turkish government have accepted the rulings of the court and implemented them.

CTP was always complainant of the officials who strolled towns and villages to influence and orientate the electors way of casting their vote, threatened them by saying “we will send you back to Turkey” even by exchange of money and personal benefits on the eve of every general elections. All these are available in the newspapers archives. Until they are in power! This situation has to be well perceived. Until these corrupt practices are abandoned, it is impossible to achieve clean politics that will be any use to the community.

A short while ago, Turkey in an official letter sent to the EU institutions declared “it was us who allowed the free movement over the island and not the TRNC government.” On the other hand, TRNC president stated that, although Turkish officials on the proposals of Finland, who are the current President of EU, carry out negotiations no such proposals have been handed to him. European court judgments are against Turkey but the Property Law and the related Commission demanded from Turkey, is legislated by TRNC Parliament. EU and world are now bypassing Turkish Cypriots and are negotiating directly with Turkey.

Under all these conditions; to come to power, carry on staying in power and re-elected to power in northern Cyprus depends on the relevant person’s or political party’s closeness to several specific officials in Turkey and how much financial help he can get from Turkey. Under such circumstances, even though sometimes Turkey does not trigger interferences, interference is requested by politicians of north Cyprus to suit their needs.

The reason why the latest exemplary intervention is so loudly resented; the promise of CTP, well before the referendum process, when in power to change the “status quo” and most probably the religious factor being used for the first time. Under these circumstances AK Party is held responsible. For a political party which has come to power by promising to change the status quo to say that “All of these are quite normal, there is no need to exaggerate it” and its avarice to stay in power has caused deep anxiety within the community.

Turkish Cypriots have began to ask themselves “if those who we have elected to power to change the status quo and access EU, are doing such things then our future is gloomy.” Our task now is to find a way to reclaim Turkish Cypriots’ will and insist on the vital aspects regarding the existence of our community.

Turkey; must accept and implement that, north Cyprus and Turkish Cypriots to be a part of EU, will follow a different path than its own EU process.
EU; although it is not directly involved in finding a political solution, should prepare and insist on the necessary legal bases for the integration of the island’s economy.
Turkish Cypriots; must insist and demand that they take the decisions relating to their future.
Greek Cypriots; must comprehend and act within the knowledge that passing time will expend Turkish Cypriots and them as well.
All parties should do their best for the implementation of the Acquis in the northern part of Cyprus.

Türkçe

Home \| Welcome \| About Us \| Executive Bodies \| Forum \| Activities \| Photo Album \| Press Statements \| Documents \| Links \| Contact Us
Turkish Cypriots should reclaim their free will Political tension has been running high in northern Cyprus lately. For the first time, right wing political parties representing the majority of the electors are disturbed by Turkey’s political interference in northern Cyprus. Dissatisfaction is expressed by their high voiced actions. While right wing parties are boycotting the Parliament and not legitimating/recognizing the newly formed government, CTP a left wing party that gained popularity through the “yes” vote, is giving the good tidings that the coalition government formed with those breakaway parliamentarians from the right wing parties who petitioned for a “no” vote, “will create miracles”. President, who comes from CTP, has approved the new cabinet and expressed his great expectations from the new government. In reality, external interferences in the northern Cyprus’ politics are not something new to be complainant of. Left wing parties that struggled for many years to come to power were always complainants of interferences. Those who had proclaimed against Turkey that “we do not want your money nor your civil servants” are now saying that” if AK Party has interfered, then interfered, if not, then it did not; this is not interference, it is just a consultation.” Due to the fact that the recent interference was for the benefit of CTP, and being the one who had asked for it, is defending it by saying that “interference existed for years, why are you complaining now”; in reality CTP authorities are emphasizing that they are not different from any other political parties which were in power in TRNC. Turkish Cypriot community is disappointed and morally devastated to see CTP who was for decades aggrieved, to find the latest interference acceptable by saying that “they had done it, now we are doing it as well”. This is important for the community to see the bitter realities: any political party that wants to come to power and stay in power will act in similar manner, show the same feebleness and defend it by saying that ”it is quite natural” even though they had opposed such interferences for years. In past, this reality was silently accepted but now that it is being discussed, it is necessary to make use of this for the sake of the Turkish Cypriots future. The fact that Turkish Cypriots do not possess their free will should not be a “well known secret” any more; it should be discussed and reclaimed. The reality that Turkish influential elements in Turkey over the past years have at different intervals influenced northern Cyprus in every aspect should not be a taboo any more and should be freely and openly discussed. Openly discussing these items holds within itself potentials of useful consequences for both Turkish Cypriots and mainland Turkish people. Demographic structure, electorate lists, creation of political parties and government formulations in northern Cyprus has always been under the influence of Turkey. European Court of Human Rights had declared the state in northern Cyprus as “a subordinate state of Turkey” and both north Cyprus authorities and Turkish government have accepted the rulings of the court and implemented them. CTP was always complainant of the officials who strolled towns and villages to influence and orientate the electors way of casting their vote, threatened them by saying “we will send you back to Turkey” even by exchange of money and personal benefits on the eve of every general elections. All these are available in the newspapers archives. Until they are in power! This situation has to be well perceived. Until these corrupt practices are abandoned, it is impossible to achieve clean politics that will be any use to the community. A short while ago, Turkey in an official letter sent to the EU institutions declared “it was us who allowed the free movement over the island and not the TRNC government.” On the other hand, TRNC president stated that, although Turkish officials on the proposals of Finland, who are the current President of EU, carry out negotiations no such proposals have been handed to him. European court judgments are against Turkey but the Property Law and the related Commission demanded from Turkey, is legislated by TRNC Parliament. EU and world are now bypassing Turkish Cypriots and are negotiating directly with Turkey. Under all these conditions; to come to power, carry on staying in power and re-elected to power in northern Cyprus depends on the relevant person’s or political party’s closeness to several specific officials in Turkey and how much financial help he can get from Turkey. Under such circumstances, even though sometimes Turkey does not trigger interferences, interference is requested by politicians of north Cyprus to suit their needs. The reason why the latest exemplary intervention is so loudly resented; the promise of CTP, well before the referendum process, when in power to change the “status quo” and most probably the religious factor being used for the first time. Under these circumstances AK Party is held responsible. For a political party which has come to power by promising to change the status quo to say that “All of these are quite normal, there is no need to exaggerate it” and its avarice to stay in power has caused deep anxiety within the community. Turkish Cypriots have began to ask themselves “if those who we have elected to power to change the status quo and access EU, are doing such things then our future is gloomy.” Our task now is to find a way to reclaim Turkish Cypriots’ will and insist on the vital aspects regarding the existence of our community. Turkey; must accept and implement that, north Cyprus and Turkish Cypriots to be a part of EU, will follow a different path than its own EU process. EU; although it is not directly involved in finding a political solution, should prepare and insist on the necessary legal bases for the integration of the island’s economy. Turkish Cypriots; must insist and demand that they take the decisions relating to their future. Greek Cypriots; must comprehend and act within the knowledge that passing time will expend Turkish Cypriots and them as well. All parties should do their best for the implementation of the Acquis in the northern part of Cyprus. Ali Erel President