Proposal. Hand over (Varosha) in return of direct flights.

[kiplet]

Just read this on another forum.

Hand over Maras (Varosha) in return for direct flights



The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefhan Fule,made a proposal yesterday that in return for the TRNC handing over Maras to “its rightful owners”, the Greek Cypriots should allow direct flights to Ercan airport.

He feels that these two measures would be ideal for confidence building before negotiations start between the two sides.

The proposal will be made at the next meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.

It is claimed that Mr Fule has already set up a technical committee to look into the possibility.

[PaulW]

Without being a spoilsport this story has been doing the rounds for over 20 years to my knowledge. Direct flights mean changing the status of Ercan airport & then this would open up the chance for any airline to fly into Ercan. Would that suit any of the Turkish airlines that have the monopoly at the moment?
I'd love to see it, perhaps next year......................oh the wife has just told me I've been saying that for over 20 years also.
Paul

[carolhm]

What would they do with it if they got it ?
It would cost millions to get it up and running again .

[the butlers wife]

I agree, I have heard this story at least once a year since we bought here 7 years ago. Like a lot of things that are rumoured, my thoughts are, I will believe it when I see it but it will be nice if it does.



The butlers wife

[niceone]

It was on LGc news yesterday
http://www.lgcnews.com/hand-over-maras- ... t-flights/

[Jonnie]

I think it is about time we had direct flights period. I do not think we need to "swap" anything for it. In all but recognition this is a democratic country largely self determined with a democratically elected government. We do not suffer from any internal oppression and generally people can go about their daily lives without fear and without interference. Compare that to many recognised countries.

OK it may be argued that some or even many have not got access to their land etc and there is now and effective solution to that as accepted by the ECHR.

So to the rest of the world...CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON!

[Deniz1]

I have always been under the impression that the greeks had no control over direct flights to ercan but it was banned by some outdated aviation ruling years ago by the Aviation Authority. Ercan would have to be vastly upgraded to meet the standards required.

[suehowlittle]

The Chicago Convention I believe. Yes, outdated and not fit for purpose just like the EU and the UN!

[Soner]

I can't see the Maras being handed over or even Guzelyurt for that matter which was also requested by the South - Handing any land over would be like accepting defeat IMHO. 40 years have past without a solution, I can see another 40 years shooting by if both side can not just shake hands and simply move forward. Both sides may have been wrong, Greece invaded and Turkey intervened then stayed put. That's history. Time to move on.

[Jonnie]

Agreed Soner.

Deniz I don't think the upgrading is an issue I think it is more to do with flying into a country that is beyond the control of the FAA that is the issue and the international legal position of the TRNC and its sovereign rights to the airspace above. I feel happier going into ECN than I would Yum Dum or Murtala Mohamed.

[kaiserphil]

You are correct Soner, handing over anything, any concession, will never result in a change in attitude of the RoC, who's propaganda will continue to convince the world of their "righteousness".

The TRNC could also have had good propaganda going for them, but they are simply too apathetic to take the trouble.

[Deniz1]

Why doesnt every one just butt out and let us that live here get on with it. Everyone interferes

[Soner]

Hmmm, could say the same about events that go on in the UK, everyone butt out and let us get on with what is happening here. It's good to hear other peoples opinions, I do not think it a case of interfering. The North has been hard done by for all these years, why should they have to give in to any demands? As I said a shake of hands should be enough.

[Deniz1]

I was referring to people of other nationalities interfering some of the meps saying get it sorted. I agree with you Soner why should the north concede anything? I consider myself a citizen by adoption as I will never get a kimlik card.

[teg17]

I agree with you Soner, in an ideal world a handshake should be good enough and I am sure at ground level Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots and for that matter any other nationalities can live side by side quite amicably. Unfortunately more often than not it is the meddling politicians with hidden agendas' that are the "interference" and that, regrettably is the real world.

[Soner]

Deniz1, thought as much, just wanted you to clarify.

[Deniz1]

[JBA]

Personally I think circumstances are slowly changing in favour of TRNC and to make such concessions now would be unnecessary.

The South have managed to aggravate Russia, previously a supporter, by messing around with the loan terms and then going anyway to the EU - and recently the Russian Foreign Minister made it clear that Turkey was far more important to them than Cyprus. They have also aggravated the EU over this bailout and even though they got it, the terms applied leave no doubt how the EU feels about things. Finally, Israel, their partner in the offshore stakes, has reached rapprochement with Turkey over the Gaza incident and they are becoming best friends again - the Israeli Foreign Minister said that their relationship with Turkey was the most important in the region.

The South's financial crisis is a very long way from over - most analysts consider the worst is yet to come.

In the light of this their only possible salvation is oil/gas - but while they have found it what can they do with it? As things stand the only way to sell the gas is to invest in LPG production - estimated at 8billion Euros over 6 years. Who is going to invest that sort of money in a failed economic/political environment. And LPG is far less profitable than piped gas. The holy archbishop has it right - Cyprus's only hope is a pipeline across the North into Turkey to join the pipelines supplying Europe. Cyprus will then have a ready and profitable market and the prospect that its economy could recover.

But oh dear - how can we negotiate with a country we don't recognise? Maybe we need to change our attitude a bit.