Alleged Turkish Cypriot isolation3 Following the rejection of the Annan Plan, Turkey launched a propaganda campaign under the slogans of “easing,”“lifting” or “ending” the alleged “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots. Regrettably, this has led to widespread misinformation, regarding the situation in Cyprus, and to some questionable proposals, ostensibly to improve the economic conditions of Turkish Cypriots. Turkey has even tried to mislead the international community into believing that the Government of Cyprus was, somehow, responsible for the predicament of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey used this approach for two reasons: to divert, in view of its EU aspirations, attention from its ongoing military aggression against Cyprus and to upgrade the illegal regime in the occupied areas of the island. In essence, Ankara has been seeking to secure for the secessionist regime economic attributes of an independent entity. However, any moves promoting the de facto recognition of the illegal secessionist regime would be in direct violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, especially resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984). Such moves would also undermine efforts for the country’s reunification, in line with the agreed framework, which is the declared position of the UN, the EU, and the international community at large, by removing any incentive for the secessionist regime for constructive participation in the peace process. In doing so, they would help to solidify the illegal situation created by Turkey in the occupied part of Cyprus and to perpetuate the victimisation of Turkish Cypriots. Moreover, such ideas divert attention from Turkey’s failure to abide by its obligations to the EU, including the opening of its seaports and airports to ships and aircraft carrying the Cyprus flag. The plight of the Turkish Cypriot community has been the direct result of Turkey’s aggression, which keeps Cyprus, its people, institutions and economy divided. It is also the result of misguided policies by Turkish Cypriot leaders, who have consistently promoted Turkey’s interests at the expense of their own community and of Cyprus as a whole. The so-called “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots is very much a self-inflicted wound. It is certainly not the result of any action taken by the Government of Cyprus, which has sovereignty over all the territory of the state, including the occupied areas, and which acts in line with its obligation to defend its sovereign rights and the rule of law. 3 See Miltos Miltiadou, Toward a Unified Cyprus: The Myth of Turkish Cypriot “Isolation,” Fourth Edition (Nicosia: Press and Information Office, Republic of Cyprus, 2010). The Cyprus Question| A brief Introduction 16
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