THE STORY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF TRNC AND THE FUTURE

Author: Young Turkish Cypriots (Y.T.C)

Who are the Y.T.C?

Here at the Y.T.C (Young Turkish Cypriots organisation), we are extremely proud to call ourselves Turkish Cypriot; this makes the 15 th of November a very special day for us. Not only does this day celebrate our independence, but it also celebrates our survival, our existence, and our unique identity as the Turks of Cyprus. We are therefore honoured, as a relatively new organisation, to be writing about our struggle for freedom within this article.

The Y.T.C are a group of like-minded individuals located not only in the TRNC, but all around the world. Our main aim is to educate people on the history of Cyprus and more specifically, the Turkish Cypriot story. Our posts, blogs and uploads cover a large range of history - from the first migration of Cypriots from the Levant and Anatolia, to the 307 years of Ottoman rule in Cyprus; from the inter-communal violence of the 1950s and 60s to the Turkish intervention of 1974. We also aim to make all young Turkish Cypriots feel more connected to their cultural home, connecting the diaspora to our homelands of North Cyprus and Turkey. Therefore, there is no better day to further teach and connect people to our history

and heritage, than our Independence Day. But how did we get here?

The story of the TRNC

The Turkish Cypriot struggle is often a story of hardship and suffering but should also be viewed as a story of triumph and freedom. Our fight for existence is often overshadowed by the western media’s perception of the Cyprus problem and their racist narrative of Turkey being the oppressor. However, the formation of the TRNC should be celebrated around the world as a day where the Turkish Cypriot people were able to survive against all odds. Turkish Cypriots endured the terrorist campaign of EOKA, the oppressive Makarios-regime and the fascist Greek junta invasions. With Turkey’s support, they bravely resisted decades of persecution and were able to state their rightful claim on the island. The TRNC’s independence symbolizes this survival and shows the rest of the world that despite the lack

of global intervention to prevent an attempted genocide, the Turkish Cypriots will continue to remain within their homeland.

Even though it is not globally recognised, for the last 38 years the Turkish Cypriot people have had somewhere official to call home. Within the TRNC they are treated equally and have institutions that fairly represent them. They are safe and protected within the borders of North Cyprus and have a democratic government to govern them. The TRNC fulfils all criteria of statehood and even has over 27 representatives in 20 different countries around the world. Compared to the brutal conditions of the 1963 enclaves, the Turkish Cypriots should be proud to declare that they live in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – their own country. Unfortunately, due to our neighbours in the south, the imperialist powers of the United Kingdom and USA, and the biased organisations of the European Union and United Nations, the TRNC has been unable to prosper as an independent state. The embargoes imposed by the Greek Cypriot administration on the Turkish Cypriot people back in 1963 are the same embargoes that remain today. These embargoes prevent the TRNC

from becoming a stable and affluent state that it is destined to become.

The future of the TRNC

After 53 years of failed negotiations, the TRNC has now arrived at a crossroad – continue negotiating a federal settlement or take a new path which will hopefully put an end to 58 years of isolation. With President Tatar’s election win alongside his two-state solution plan, the Cyprus problem is once again at the forefront of international politics. The recent hydrocarbon discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean have also created large tensions in the region, especially between Turkey and Greece. Here at the Y.T.C, we see the importance of discussing these current issues and highlighting to our viewers that the Turkish Cypriots are not at fault for the continued failed negotiation process. As revealed by the former

Greek Cypriot minister of foreign affairs, Nicos A. Rolandis, the Greek Cypriot administration have rejected 15 out of 17 Cyprus solutions. The failure of the Annan Plan of 2004 and the Crans Montana talks of 2017, has also showed the Turkish Cypriot people that despite their goodwill and continued persistence to solve the Cyprus problem through a federal settlement, this inhumane isolation will continue to remain.

It is therefore imperative that the Turkish Cypriot people make their voices heard. With the support of Turkey, the TRNC must not allow foreign powers to neglect their rights in the region. Resilience against imperial powers and false propaganda must be maintained to ensure that the Turkish Cypriots are not taken advantage of. No longer should the Turkish Cypriots endure decades of failed negotiations whilst embargoes continue to plague the TRNC nation.

Bans on trade, travel, communication, representation, sporting events, economic development, culture and academia continue to remain despite the countless promises made by world leaders to end the isolation of North Cyprus back in 2004.

The Y.T.C now view the 38 th anniversary of the TRNC’s independence as marking a new age for the Turkish Cypriot people. Turkish Cypriots have overcome the hardships and violence of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. They have engaged in decades of federal negotiations, committing to countless confidence building measures throughout the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, showing pure dedication to solve the Cyprus dispute peacefully and diplomatically. However, it is now time for the Turkish Cypriot people to stand strong and work together as a nation. With more togetherness and cohesiveness amongst TRNC citizens, not only can recognition from our Turkic and Muslim allies be achieved, but the end of this inhumane isolation can also be obtained.