While enjoying a recent holiday in Cyprus, one thing which seems to still be around is the sight of the flag of Greece fluttering on buildings here and there.
This lovely island has been divided since 1974 into two separate entities. Two thirds of this island, mainly in its south, comprises of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, populated by Greek Cypriots. Whereas the northern third of this island is made up of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). A territory populated by Turkish Cypriots, but not recognised as a sovereign country anywhere, except by Turkey itself.
As we approach 50 years since Cyprus was partitioned, attitudes amongst some people on both sides seem as entrenched now as they were when Turkey invaded in 1974. One of the main factors behind this division was many members of the Greek Cypriot population wanting union with Greece. This situation was unacceptable to its Turkish Cypriot diaspora. They wanted Partition rather than being part of Greece and it looks like they got what they wanted – but at a price!
That price is almost total isolation from the rest of the world, apart from Turkey. All exports and imports to TRNC have to go through their Turkish benefactor across the Mediterranean Sea. Calling Turkey a benefactor, apart from saving Turkish Cypriots from being massacred, is starting to wear a bit thin now as we approach 50 years since their armed intervention.
Flag flying Greek Cypriots also seem to be missing a trick here. Turkey has encouraged mainland settlers to cross the Med to help boost TRNC’s population to try and outnumber their southern neighbours. But this may be starting to backfire. Turkish Cypriots tend to be secular and hold liberal views. Whereas many of these settlers are farmers who tend to hold right-wing points of view, along with embracing a traditional religious way of life.
This may lead to a situation where Turkish Cypriots see themselves as having more in common with their southern rather than northern neighbours. Many Cypriots lived together in peace and harmony across the island up to 1974. There are still some places where it happens to this day. Pyla is an example of this. Situated inside the United Nations buffer zone separating both Cypriot territories and near Britain’s Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia (my birthplace), Pyla has had a long tradition of cross community friendship and co-operation between its mixed Greek and Turkish Cypriot population. It also hosts a campus of the University of Central Lancashire.
Pyla shows there is still hope for unity amongst both sets of Cypriots. So Greek Cypriots continuing to wave the flag of a foreign country, which has no interest in them, doesn’t seem a very appropriate or helpful way of bringing these two communities together. It’s a bit like Austrians waving the German flag. This was done in their recent past, creating much regret. Sadly, Germany’s most well-known leader was an Austrian.