Turkish MPs urge end to ‘inhumane isolation’ of north Cyprus

The Turkish parliament has called for an “end to the inhumane isolation” of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) ahead of the 50th anniversary of the military operation that divided the island, Agence France-Presse reported.

Since the July 20, 1974 operation by Turkish troops, the island has been split along ethnic lines between the Turkish Cypriot northern third and the Greek-majority southern two thirds.

The southern EU member Republic of Cyprus has been embraced by the international community. Only Ankara has recognized the KKTC, which was declared in 1983.

Turkish MPs called on “the international community to put an end to the inhumane isolation imposed on Turkish Cypriots,” in a resolution adopted on Thursday evening.

They also called for the “deserved recognition of Northern Cyprus.”

“Despite the constructive role of the Turkish side in the negotiation process, which lasted for more than 50 years, no result has been reached due to the intransigence of the Greek side,” the resolution added.

“While Greek Cypriots have been rewarded with membership of the European Union, Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to isolation, restrictions and inhumane embargoes.

“Today, the only solution on the island is recognition of the equal sovereignty and international status” of the Turkish part of the island, the deputies said.

A “two-state solution” is “the only way to guarantee stability and lasting peace in the region,” they added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scheduled to visit the island on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish army landing on the northern coast of Cyprus.

The military operation came five days after the military junta then in power in Athens engineered a coup in Cyprus seeking to end its independence and unite the island with Greece.