UK Parliament Member Lord Sharkey Calls for Direct Flights to Northern Cyprus

Lord Sharkey addressed the unfair isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people during his speech at the House of Lords, emphasizing the economic significance of facilitating tourist flow by allowing direct flights.

Lord Sharkey advised the UK government to permit direct flights to Northern Cyprus, eliminating the necessity for passengers to disembark in Istanbul for an additional security check with all their luggage. He highlighted the repeated failure of over 50 years of attempts at a bicommunal, bizonal federation, stating that it was not surprising for Turkish Cypriots to reject this model in favor of a two-state solution, given the prolonged acceptance of the current reality.

Lord Sharkey, acknowledging President Ersin Tatar's efforts in London, both in parliament and the House of Lords, brought attention to the injustices faced by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). As the responsible deputy chair of the APPG-TRNC, he remarked on the economic challenges faced by Northern Cyprus, its dependence on subsidies from Turkey, and the growing threat to its unique identity and culture due to an influx of Russians and mainland Turks.

Drawing a stark economic comparison between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot regions, Lord Sharkey stressed the need to address the isolation imposed on Northern Cyprus and called on the UK government to contribute to vital economic relief by enabling direct flights. He revisited the Ercan Airport issue, questioning why it was treated differently from airports in other unrecognized countries like Taiwan, and expressed gratitude for any efforts to find a solution.

In conclusion, Lord Sharkey highlighted the potential economic relief direct flights could bring to Northern Cyprus and reiterated the commitment of the UK government to provide practical assistance, demonstrating a continued dedication to addressing the Cyprus issue.