Tatar Calls for Direct Flights to Ercan Airport from the UK

Speaking in London during his official visits, Tatar recalled that the UK is a guarantor country in Cyprus and was the sovereign power on the island until the 1960s. He noted that Turkish Cypriots did not cause problems under British administration and served as police officers fighting against efforts to unite Cyprus with Greece.

Tatar mentioned that after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus on August 16, 1960, the British left but retained two military bases in the south of the island. These bases are very important for the UK, especially given recent geopolitical tensions, and unfortunately, their location in the south has further strengthened relations with Greek Cypriots. He added that in the past year, South Cyprus’s leader Nikos Christodoulides met the British Prime Minister three times.

He criticized the UK for what he called great injustices against Turkish Cypriots, noting there are no direct flights or direct trade with the TRNC. Although he has close relationships with many British friends and politicians who support Turkish Cypriots, the established British institutions continue to block these connections.

Tatar also met with Stephen Doughty, UK Minister for Europe and North America, expressing hope for steps to ease the isolation imposed on Turkish Cypriots after the UK’s exit from the EU, although pressures have increased instead.

Highlighting that the UK’s military bases have made South Cyprus a target for Israel, he noted discontent among Greek Cypriots and a growing Israeli presence in Larnaca and Limassol.

Stressing the Turkish Cypriots’ equal sovereign status as founding partners of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus and the UK’s role as a guarantor, Tatar said:

“We experienced genocide while the UK watched from its bases. Despite all injustices, we live as an independent state. If a common ground is found and the sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots is recognized, we could enter new negotiations. The UK designed this system when it left Cyprus and helped establish it.”

He called for any future agreement on Cyprus to be a two-state solution, rejecting reunification and any removal of Turkey’s guarantor rights. He said the UK should base its policies on this reality.

Regarding travel, Tatar stated that the TRNC currently only opens to the world through Turkey and stressed that the right to travel is also the right of Turkish Cypriots.

Noting Ercan Airport serves over 10 million passengers annually and is larger than the two airports in the south, he dismissed past security concerns about direct flights.

“If there are direct flights from the UK, especially London, it will benefit our economy and tourism and strengthen British-Turkish Cypriot relations. No company planning such flights should be stopped.”

Tatar also mentioned that former UK minister and Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smith is among the MPs supporting direct flights to the TRNC.

Currently, about 80 daily flights arrive at Ercan from Turkey. Flights from Europe must first land in Turkey even if they carry no passengers.

He revealed that some meetings in the UK were held confidentially due to anticipated reactions but emphasized that at every meeting, the TRNC’s position was clearly explained.