Northern Cyprus and Central Asia

How Central Asian States Improve Their Ties with the TRNC?
Possible Strategic Implications and Reactions

This paper has been presented in the International Conference on Central Asia and North Cyprus at Eastern Mediterranean University, Center for Strategic Studies, 20-21 November 2008.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamer Kasım
Abant Izzet Baysal University
Department of International Relations
International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO)

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was founded in 1983. TRNC was only recognized by Turkey as an independent state and TRNC exists under isolation. Despite its lack of recognition, the TRNC has all the elements of a state. The establishment of the TRNC happened after the failure of the solution of the Cyprus problem which changed its face after the EU membership process of the Southern Cyprus of Greek Administration (SCGA) as "The Republic of Cyprus". With the efforts of the EU and the UN, the Annan Plan was introduced and referendum was held on 24th of April 2004 in North and South of Cyprus to solve the problem before the EU membership. While in the North 64.9% of participants voted yes to the plan, in the South 75.8% voted no. Since one side rejected the Annan Plan, the Cyprus problem was not solved before the SCGA's entry to the EU. Despite this result, isolation of the TRNC continued and promises were made to the north during the referendum process were not fulfilled. In this picture, the Central Asian states together with the Caucasian republics might provide the ways to break the isolation of the TRNC. The establishment of the economic and strategic ties particularly with the Turkic republics of the region will create fruitful atmosphere between these states and the TRNC.

In this paper I will evaluate instruments and ways of cooperation between the Central Asian states and TRNC. I will also analyze the possible implications and reactions of this cooperation. Besides the models of cooperation between the Central Asian states and the TRNC, the changing atmosphere of the global politics after the independence of Kosovo and Central Asian states' attitude regarding the Kosovo case will be dealt with. It might be argued that there are many similarities between Kosovo and Cyprus cases and even compare with Kosovo example which has not ready to rule itself yet, the TRNC has all the ability to run the state and the Turkish side proofed this in last 25 years of its declaration of an independent state.

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