The attempt to cultivate a climate of conflict with Greece and Cyprus continues, while it seems that Ankara is preparing to launch a more intense campaign for the recognition of the Occupied by the international community
Dr. Yonca Özdemir said that Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan feed on the nationalist discourse. Dr. Altuğ Günal, on the other hand, said that the US has abandoned its balance policy, Turkish media reports.
The attempt to cultivate a climate of conflict with Greece and Cyprus continues, while it seems that Ankara is preparing to launch a more intense campaign for the recognition of the Occupied by the international community.
“The United States (US) has lifted the arms embargo on South Cyprus since 1987. There is news that they will start direct flights from Russia to North Cyprus. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the recognition of Northern Cyprus in his speech at the last session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. In the declaration of the National Security Council (NSC), all countries were called to recognize the independence of Northern Cyprus. The mutual statements of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Erdogan escalate the tension between the two countries.
Ozdemir argued that due to international embargoes, direct flights to Northern Cyprus from Russia or any country other than Turkey will not be possible, unless at least the Greek Cypriot side approves. In fact, Özdemir said that the Russian embassy in South Cyprus also denied these claims and said: “As you know, the Russians do not particularly respect international law. However, even if relations with South Cyprus have cooled a bit due to the sanctions, Russia will never make such a radical move as to break ties with South Cyprus. My advice to those in Turkey is not to give too much credit to the statements of the current government of Northern Cyprus. Because for the last two years Northern Cyprus has been governed by a shameful administration that has never been seen before in its history. As what they say does not agree with each other or come true, they are up to their necks in corruption and irregularity. They can also take such unconventional exits to change the agenda and defend their unrealistic position.”
Noting that the Greek Cypriot administration began to supply arms first from the Eastern Bloc and then from Russia due to the US embargo, Günal continued his words as follows: it made him more addicted. Since the US has clearly shown that it has abandoned the policy of balance between Turkey and Greece with its military and political support to Greece, it also considered as an acceptable risk the backlash that the decision to lift the embargo on Turkey will create.
The removal of Russia from this strategic island, which is the key to the Eastern Mediterranean, and from the Eastern Mediterranean in general, was considered more important than the reaction of Turkey, which was no longer considered a reliable enough partner. In fact, in the document The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, passed by the Senate in 2019, it was announced that sanctions will be imposed on Turkey, while Southern Cyprus is a very important partner and with it in the military-insurance sector.
It was clearly stated that the partnership will be developed. The Greek Cypriot administration, in harmony with the US, began not to allow Russian warships to receive services from its ports since March, was included in the sanctions of the West and therefore included in the list of unfriendly countries of Russia along with other members of the EU
Of course, being on that list has made dependence on Russia more of a problem for parts and service for its weapons systems as it tries to strengthen itself against Turkey. However, South Cyprus has been trying for some time to replace these weapons with American technology and this new decision will now allow this and contribute to the US economy. However, as Turkey has expressed, this decision is part of a wider US plan that covers Greece, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean and will not contribute in the slightest to a peaceful solution as it accelerates the arms race on the island.
It is possible that Southern Cyprus, which has the support of the US, will make bolder moves against Turkey, as will Greece. In return, it would be natural for Turkey to react with the same severity and take new measures.
Günal made the following observations regarding the calls for recognition of Northern Cyprus by the international community:
“The decision to declare the independence of Northern Cyprus was taken on November 15, 1983, at a time when there was an administrative vacuum in Turkey, without the approval of Turkey. Of course, Turkey immediately recognized Northern Cyprus, but since then it has not made much effort to be recognized by the international community. Despite Denktash’s occasional rhetoric about confederation, negotiations have continued since the 1977-1979 summits with the ultimate goal of federation. It is the first time that the UN appeals for the recognition of Northern Cyprus before the international community. In this sense, it is a very important step. However, it is not easy even for friendly countries to recognize North Cyprus, at least legally.
In fact, there are UNSC resolutions, no. 541 and 550, which say that Northern Cyprus should not be recognized. In this context, a new UNSC resolution is required with at least 9 positive votes (unless vetoed by 5 permanent members) for recognition, which is quite difficult. The legal reason why the West does not recognize Northern Cyprus is that it claims that the Republic of Cyprus was established by force in a way that would disrupt its territorial integrity.
Since what Russia is doing today is seen as a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity by force, it does not provide any sympathy for Northern Cyprus. However, it is clear that states can ignore UNSC decisions or change their legal arguments when their higher interests or alliances demand it. Turkey should continue to express its demand for recognition in the international community and seek support from friendly countries.”
