DIPLOMACY IN CYPRUS

A vote on the EU Commission’s proposal to end restrictions on the TRNC has been delayed to September due to summer vacation. However, the TRNC is very busy now. Its coalition government has set early elections for Nov. 6. Now this government proposal must be confirmed by the TRNC Parliament, and it probably won’t be easy because the opposition National Revival Party (UDP) is insisting on the government’s resignation. As TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said, Parliament’s math doesn’t match the political realities, and so early elections are inevitable. All the political parties in the TRNC should end this uncertainty.

Now the issue of Turkey’s Board of Higher Education (YOK) has captured the interest of TRNC politicians, professors and students. Unfortunately, this issue is seen by the TRNC as ‘Turkey’s embargo.’ Northern Cyprus has five universities with 30,000 students, 70% of whom are non-Cypriots from Turkey and other countries. Actually the TRNC is proud of its educational sector which is a key part of its economy. Universities in the TRNC are attractive not only for local students, but also for students from Turkey. The number of students will reach 45,000 – that is, nearly one-fourth of the TRNC’s population – when certain facilities are completed. However, YOK recently cancelled the TRNC universities’ right to accept students with preliminary registration. Turkish Cypriots and thousands of Turkish students who want to attend these universities have criticized the decision. This YOK issue has caused disappointment and concern in the TRNC, and I hope Ankara will solve it as soon as possible.”