Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Extract from an article by BARÇIN YİNANÇ in today's edition of Hurriyet Daily News:

Northern Cyprus: The new destination for Turks fleeing Turkey

Turks call northern Cyprus baby land, a term deriving from motherland. Whenever there is some progress in peace talks among the divided communities of the island, some in Turkey start talking about the threat of losing the “babyland.” “We should not lose at the table what we gained by our blood,” they would say. Giving compromises in peace talks would be considered politically controversial and sensitive, resulting in consequences at the ballot box on the mainland.

So you would think those living in Turkey would be knowledgeable about northern Cyprus. On the contrary: I was very surprised to hear that many in Turkey did not know where Cyprus was located and were ignorant of facts such as the language that is being spoken and which currency is used in the northern part. That was the sad truth which surfaced from a survey conducted by the north’s Tourism Ministry.

But some mainland Turks know Cyprus so well that they are now even migrating to the northern part. There is a serious rise in the number of Turks who are settling or buying property, according to Turkish Cypriot officials. This is not surprising in view of the fact that a serious number of people who feel their lifestyle is threatened by the current administration have been looking for ways to emigrate.

While they would not say it on the record, Turkish Cypriots do admit that Turks come to northern Cyprus to flee the oppressive atmosphere of Turkey.

It is not just about the political environment which, in contrast to Turkey, is devoid of tension. I think Turks are also attracted by the many attributes of “civilized” life in the northern part.

I realized why some Turks chose to come settle there. The civilized concepts like “tolerance, courtesy, respect for others,” which had long been a source of nostalgia for us were part of daily life on the island. People had smiling faces, and they were nice and polite to each other.

That made me realize something else. Our prejudice that “Turkish Cypriots live a comfortable, nice and easy life thanks to money coming from the mainland,” had led to confusion in our minds about the characteristics of the Turkish Cypriots. We confused slow work and joie de vivre with laziness.

Indeed, Turkish Cypriots do have the same attributes as Mediterranean people. Their work pace is slow, they are fond of good food, drink and music. But in addition to these, there is also respect for differences. There are many divisions in political life, but it is devoid of tension and conflict. Violence, from domestic violence to the terror attacks that have become part of our lives in Turkey, is non-existent in northern Cyprus. Women can walk alone at any time of the day and night without fearing for their lives. There is gender equality.

I expect many more from Turkey will continue to go to northern Cyprus to breathe in not just the fresh air but also the fundamental freedoms and attributes of a normal civilized life that we have been longing for.

Full article: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/northe ... sCatID=412

Stands to reason why the thousands of new apartments are being built doesn't it. However, in a year or so, the will be much consternation because KKTC has lost its individuality.

sophie wrote:Stands to reason why the thousands of new apartments are being built doesn't it. However, in a year or so, the will be much consternation because KKTC has lost its individuality.

At least they'll be able to cry all the way to the bank

Ahh, but will it be at KKTC bank though?

Thank you Paul for posting that extremely interesting article.

For once I agree with Keith Caley.
Maybe the silver lining here is that these new immigrants, if they are seeking relief from the current regime in mainland Turkey, will probably be the intellectuals and politically alert - and better educated than the average expat of whatever source. Maybe when they get here and find what is happening they will be the ones who can and will persuade the Cypriots of the lack of wisdom of their current projects which are destroying the environment and, to use Keith's word, individuality.

I never said that, you daft old bat

Sorry Sophie, of course it was you!

from kibris724...
CRATOS’UN SAHİPLERİNE HAPİS VE PARA CEZASI
" The court sentenced two brothers,Boz Group's bosses Murat Bozoğlu and his brother Kemal Bozoğlu ( (former) cratos hotel owners ) for a total of 7 years 3 months and 15 days imprisonment and 62 million 267 thousand 900 TL for criminal offenses such as qualified fraud and private document fraud"

btw, "the turks" are coming to cyprus since more then a year.
all the appt are build for sale, not rent.
rents in girne are for a 2 bedroom from 450 STG. 2000 lira. a minimum wage.

Sorry, but I'm not sure of the relevance of kibsolar1999 post re rental -v- purchasing apartments. I have always been of the impression that all the apartment blocks were for sale. Maybe I missed something in translation?

Turks moving to the TRNC can only be expected in the present circumstances, to me seems like a jump from the fat into the fire.
A solution is dead in the water, the TRNC's economy is a basket case, the TC's will be sucking on the teet of the motherland harder than ever, their cost obeying Erdogan's every wish, out numbered, out voted selling the future Generations hopes down the pan for an easy Buck.

That's the way we expats see the situation, but I really do wonder if locals see it that way. After the Sanctions and being made to feel and behave as second class citizens for all these years, the Goose is laying the Golden Egg for them. Even locals not far from us, who had nice garden have sold half of it in order for one small house to be built, Of course it might be for another member of the family to live in, but somehow I doubt it. I just wait to see a brand new Merc parked outside the original house in a month or so.

Sophie I know some locals who as much, even more, upset about the destruction of TRNC individuality as you are I are. I also know a lot of Brits who "dont know what the fuss is about" , they are indeed partially responsible with their insistence on creating Little Britain on the Med and providing a market for the vandals. I suspect the Mainland Turks will be equally divided: greed and insensitivity is an integral part of the human race!