Agenda in the UK: 50 politicians send a letter to David Cameron for direct flights to TRNC

The issue of TRNC has become a hot topic in the UK, with cross-party support for this initiative.

POLITICIANS URGE END TO DIRECT FLIGHT BAN

The letter, sent to the Foreign Secretary as a final effort before Parliament dissolved for the general elections, has garnered support from notable figures such as Lord Straw of the Labour Party and Sir Iain Duncan Smith of the Conservative Party.

According to The Independent, experts have expressed skepticism that this move will impact the British government's current policy of not permitting flights or recognizing the elected government of TRNC.

SUPPORTERS INCLUDE KEY FIGURE OF THE ANNAN PLAN

Lord Straw, who served as the Foreign Secretary for the Labour Party in 2004, managed the Annan Plan negotiations intended to reunify the island. The plan ultimately failed due to the rejection by Greek Cypriots in the south, despite support from the north.

He expressed regret over the UK's decision to admit South Cyprus into the EU just one week after the plan's rejection.

CONCERNS ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN SECRETARY

The parliamentarians have written to Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to express their serious concerns about the treatment of TRNC. They are calling for the initiation of "direct flights from the UK to Ercan International Airport, the largest airport on the island of Cyprus."

The politicians are urging the Foreign Secretary to end "one of the most restrictive policies in Europe" concerning air travel to Ercan.

"WHY TAIWAN BUT NOT NORTHERN CYPRUS?"

The letter highlights that the UK permits flights to countries it does not recognize, such as Kosovo and Taiwan, questioning why Northern Cyprus is treated differently.

They argue that air travel to TRNC is not risky and note that Ercan Airport complies with international aviation security standards, safely handling hundreds of thousands of passengers annually.

The politicians warn that if the UK continues to avoid engaging with TRNC, "there is a risk of allowing countries like Russia and Iran to do so instead, fundamentally undermining the UK's strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean."