NORTHERN CYPRUS | Why Is It Still Unrecognised?

In November 1983, the Turkish Cypriot community unilaterally declared independence. Almost 40 years later, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) still remains interenationally unrecognised. In this video, I explore the background to the Turkish Cypriot secession and explain how and why the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) failed and why Northern Cyprus remains so isolated on the world stage many decades later.

Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!

The so-called Cyprus Problem has become one of the most prominent and protracted secessionist disputes in modern international politics. However, one of the most important moments in the history of the issue came in November 1983 with the Turkish Cypriot unilateral declaration of independence (UDI), creating what his now generally known as Northern Cyprus. Within days of the attempted secession, the UN Security Council had passed Resolution 541 condemning the move and calling on states not to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (known as KKTC in Turkish). Six months later, the Council passed a second resolution, Resolution 550, calling on states not to assist the 'secessionist entity'. These two resolutions have kept the Turkish Cypriots isolated to this day. As a result, many Turkish Cypriots question whether the UDI should ever have happened. In this video, I look at the back ground to the creation of the Turkish Cypriot state and argue why the international community took such a tough stand.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
1:00 Unilateral Secession & Collective Non-Recognition
2:14 Background to the Cyprus Problem
4:19 The Path to the Declaration of Independence
7:26 Immediate International Reactions to the UDI
8:51 Bangladesh Recognises the TRNC (Briefly)
9:23 UN Resolution 541 (1983) & Resolution 550 (984)
10:28 Why the Declaration of Independence was Wrong
12:23 Future Prospects for Recognition?

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KEYWORDS

#NorthernCyprus #Cyprus #TRNC
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#Secession #Statehood #Independence
#InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory
#Turkey #Greece #UnitedKingdom

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[JamesKerLindsay]

This is a video I had wanted to tackle for a long time. I have rarely hidden my view that I believe that the 1983 Turkish Cypriot unilateral declaration of independence was a mistake. Many Turkish Cypriots have often said the same to me. So, here is the story of how it happened, and why the international reaction to the creation of the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' was as strong as it was. I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on this?

Thanks for watching. If you found this video useful, please do consider giving it a 'Like' and sharing it with others who might be interested. And do all consider subscribing. It helps the channel to grow! Much appreciated!

Video failed to mention EU, UK and USA promised to lift or ease sanctions immediately after failed referendum in 2004 and none of them kept their promises. Instead USA lifted arms embargo to southern Cyprus recently.

[python]

I might be the only turkish Cypriot who has watched this video since we have a very small population. In my opinion one of the reasons for the failure of anything regarding the reunification of the island is due to both the ROC's and the TRNC's governments thinking only about the short term consequences of a unification. It also doesn't help that the average Greek Cypriot earns around twice as much as the average turkish Cypriot in the north which could be a burden on the economy if a unification ever takes place. A great example for this would be the economic disparities between east and west Germany even though it's been 30 plus years since the unification. Sadly the income gap between the north and south is widening even more now due to how much value the turkish lira has lost since the last 3 years. Also the newly elected leader of the TRNC wants to legitimize a new independent TRNC which makes a unification seem even less likely.

Anyways I hope the island can reunite in the future and that we the younger generation do not repeat the mistakes that our ancestors made.

Love and peace.

[GoldenHMCV]

“It all started in 1960” what about the divide and rule policy implemented during colonial rule?

[MENSA.lady]

Northern Cyprus never declared independence. It was never given a choice. It was invaded by Turkey in 1974 and still is an occupied area, recognized by no other country.

[alexisgateley]

In the occupied north part of Cyprus and following decades of colonisation by Turkey now the Turkish Cypriots are fewer than the new Turkish settlers from Anatolia. Also an occupying force of 40, 000 Turkish soldiers is permanently based on the island.

[pwp]

In the mess of the Cyprus story is one nugget of hope; Cyprus has, through force "unscrambled" the omelette. Two ethic groups physically separated, living on their own separate territory. Few ethnic conflicts around the world are so blessed. If both sides do not wish to live together, why force it? The RoC should agree to to recognize the TRNC as an independent state, and Turkey should be forced to make financial reparations to the greek Cypriots who lost property in the north, and RoC should do the same for Turkish Cypriots who were forced to leave the south. Turkey should repatriate its citizens living in TRNC unless the TRNC wishes to naturalize them. Better to have two neighbours with a big strong fence demarcating their respective properties, rather than forcing them into a condominium that will inevitably fail. Good luck to all.

[bilinmeyen]

UK made all these problems i tell you that. not Greeks or Turks.

[tauceti]

The Republic of Cyprus should be given full control of the island.The checkpoints are rediculous.

[erenramadan]

As a Turkish Cypriot with great knowledge on the subject I found this video very informative and clear, so thank you for that.

However, I have to say, the world continues bash and hate on the Turkish Cypriots decision to create an independent state in 1983, yet never pays any attention to the actions of Makarios in 1963. It was the Greek Cypriot administration who first destroyed the Republic of Cyprus. The 1960 constitution was ripped apart in 1963 with the events of bloody Christmas. No effort was put in place to correct these mistakes. The republic of Cyprus has remained under full Greek Cypriot control ever since.

The decision to make TRNC independent was 17 years after the constitution of 1960 was already destroyed. The Turkish Cypriots were left with no other choice. They has no representation or recognition within their homeland. The so-called government promoted violence and ENOSIS (union with Greece). Even with that being said, the Greek Cypriots refuse to negotiate with us to this day!

Since 1968 there has been 17 series of talks. 15 of which have been rejected by the Greek Cypriot administration. Lets not even mention the Annan Plan & Crans Montana.

We must stop this bashing of Turkey & TRNC’s decision of independence when the Turkish Cypriots were left with no other choice. That is why Tatar strives for a two state solution today because Greek Cypriot leadership has maintained the status quo for 52 years.

[jahason]

Prof Ker-Lindsay, Looking forward to your analysis of Kashmir and the current dynamics between India and Pakistan.

[Manos_P_]

I am from Cyprus (and i am a greek speaking Cypriot, my parrents are refuges from Famagusta after the 74 invasion of Turkey).
Unfortunately i think that Great Britain played a role in the escalations later by dividing Cyprus between Turkish speaking population and Greek speaking population from 1914 onwards.
In order to gain independence Greek speaking Cypriots in 1959 approved fewer positions in key places and did not even dicide for their own constidution etc. Of course that pushed back in 1963 and unofficially the people of the country divided in two, according to their cultural beliefs. The independence from Great Britain at 1960, was "at all cost independence".

Turkey invaded Cyprus in order to "help" that minority of the Turkish speaking population, but in the end the came and stayed. Denktash was a leader nevertheless. I totally desagree with his actions but in the end he was clever and knew how to manipulate the mases.
I am not saying that Turkey should not have come. I am saying that they did not had the right to oppress the people who lived at the northen part of the country for rediculous 40+ years...
I really hope for a reunification of the island. I hope that my family can move back to Famagusta. I hope at least that the northen part accept my fathers attempt to move on there. But i have no faith in our politics any more...
Thank you so much for your video, it was interesting and informative. Please continue, I fold in love with your channel!

[os]

Why is it that those countries which have recognised the independence of Greece back in 1830 haven't done the same for the Turkish Cypriots? Why is it that when Greek separatists asking for independence were helped while Turks who have only asked for the same thing were not?

[johnmasterson]

Hi would you please do a video on north of Ireland reunification thank you

[AtoZ-xnno]

You keep repeating “denktash has been warned not to declare independence and he did so, so it was a mistake”. I would ask some humility before making a judgement. Nobody can question his patriotism and love for his people and land. And their parliament passed independence resolution. So what was he suppose to do? Don’t they have right to self determination in this context? International law and UNSC resolutions are tools for big fishes to use against small fishes in the ocean. US, UK, Russia and other powers turns blind eye to international laws and norms when it fits to them. So, Denktash did what he was suppose to do. It’s easy to make youtbe video and criticize people who have their blood, sweat and tear all over their county

[djtanaliz]

I hope that one day the TRNC will be recognized and will rise to an equal status with the Greeks. Unfortunately, the Turkish side is always the victim. The only solution is two equal states.

[cypruswithoutborders]

The Turkish Cypriot community are digging their own graves, as they want the best of all possible scenarios.

[canerdeger]

Thanks for these Cyprus videos, I am a Turkish Cypriot. I find the idea of unification very unrealistic and I wonder what will happen in next 50 years. I think Turkey has a different plan for Cyprus, Azerbaijani officials visited Cyprus recently and Pakistani officails are planning to visit which is unusual. I wonder if Turkey is planning to push for recognition.

[northgork]

There is a simple 2 state solution. Follow the Australia and New Zealand model of citizenship. Recognize South Cyprus and North Cyprus as 2 independent states. Turkish Cypriots can grant citizenship rights to Greek Cypriots and vice versa. A Turkish Cypriot can elect to become a Greek Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot can elect to become a Turkish Cypriot or they can maintain their own citizenship but enjoy the same citizenship rights of the state. This way the people in both states can travel and live freely in either state protected by the law as though they are citizens. The would open up the island to all Cypriots. Free trade would be optimal between the 2 states. Everyone would win. A win win solution. Learn the Australia and New Zealand citizenship model, it works.

[daveevans]

Prof. James another fascinating and well explained piece. The Greek side never wanted an independent Cyprus, they wanted ENOSIS, to be part of mainland Greece. Their dreams of this never included the Turkish Cypriots who still to this day they see them as almost sub human. The atrocities committed by EOKA amounted to genocide. Crimes for which they have never been held accountable. Turkey did have a legal right to intervene. The Greek side may have lost the war but have certainly won the propaganda war. They have convinced the world that a Turkish invasion force just turned up one day without any justification and it is them who are the victims. There can never be a United island while the Greek side do not recognise the Turkish side as equals and that will never happen.