To end embargoes on trade and direct flights
There were many Turkish Cypriots living in the UK and many Britons interested in visiting the north of the Mediterranean island. Finally UK will take a positive step and allow direct flights to the island.
Turkish Cyprus Airlines has applied to the British Civil Aviation Authority for a license to operate flights to London.
According to Mehmet Ali Talat, The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President, the application was made last week for direct flights between London and North Cyprus. The only direct flights to northern Cyprus at present were from Turkey
UK Authorities request and expect the Government and the PM to give full support to this application
Today, UK Government response to petition ‘Direct-Flights’
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Support the recent application to the UK Civil Aviation Authority for direct flights between London and Ercan airport in northern Cyprus. Nearly 3 years have passed since the referendum in which Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of the UN brokered comprehensive settlement, yet northern Cyprus remains isolated in spite of commitments from the UN, the EU, HM Government and the PM personally to end isolations.”
Details of petition:
“The UN, the US and the EU pledged to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots following the community’s vote to accept the UN unification Plan in 2004. Since then, a number of commitments have also been made by the UK Government and the PM personally to end embargoes on trade and direct flights, including in May 05 when Government concluded that, “We continue to believe that direct flights between the UK and north Cyprus would contribute materially to ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and would contribute to the prospects for reunification. It therefore remains our position that we would in principle support the commencement of direct flights to northern Cyprus.” Cyprus Turkish Airlines have made an application to the UK Authorities for direct flights between London and north Cyprus. We request and expect the Government and the PM to give full support to this application.”
Read the UK Government’s response here Lifting the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots remains a priority for the British Government. Europe wants to put market forces at the service of a settlement in Cyprus, and to promote reunification of the island by bringing Turkish Cypriots closer to their fellow European citizens. Direct flights between European airports and Ercan would represent a big step in that direction.
Following the receipt of an application from Kibris Turkish Airlines, the Government has carefully considered whether it would be possible to approve direct flights from the UK to Ercan airport in northern Cyprus. We have received clear legal advice that, under the terms of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, the Republic of Cyprus would first have to designate Ercan as an international airport. They have not done so, and we have concluded that to approve such flights would be incompatible with both our international obligations under the Chicago Convention and our domestic legal obligations.
The UK remains firmly supportive of the European Union’s commitment to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, and supports the Presidency and Commission’s efforts to do so. The EU’s Financial Aid Regulation,which was agreed last year, is a key step in that direction. This 259 million euro package represents one of the highest levels of EU aid per capita. The money will be used to fund practical projects, developed in partnership with the Turkish Cypriot community. These should improve the quality of life of ordinary Turkish Cypriots. We also continue support the German Presidency’s efforts to reach agreement on a direct trade regulation.
The legal barriers to starting direct flights underline the need to redouble our efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and to achieve better economic integration between the communities.
(Turkish Journal)
