An RG correspondent traveled to northern Cyprus and found out how the local Russian diaspora reacted to the opening of the Russian consular office.
“Enosis” vs. “Taksim”
First, a brief excursion into history. Next year will mark 50 years since Mediterranean Cyprus was divided along ethnic lines: predominantly Greek Cypriots live in the south, Turkish Cypriots live in the north. The two communities are separated by a 180 kilometer buffer zone which, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, is controlled by the UN peacekeeping contingent in Cyprus. The tragedy of partition was a consequence of the armed invasion of Cyprus by Turkey in July-August 1974. It was provoked by a coup d’état on the island, organized by Greek nationalists and supporters of “enosis”, the annexation of the island to Greece. In response, Turkish Cypriots proposed the idea of ”taksim”: the separation of the Turkish-populated part of Cyprus and its integration with mainland Turkey. In fact, this is what happened: today 37 percent of the island’s territory is under the rule of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), formed in 1983, which was recognized only by Ankara.
The Cyprus settlement process under UN auspices has dragged on for several decades. Following the failure of the last round of negotiations in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017, the parties’ positions appear to have finally diverged. Official Nicosia insists on resolving the conflict on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions that provide for the creation of a single bizonal and bicommunal confederal state. The Turkish Cypriots and Ankara, which supports them, demand the recognition of the TRNC as an independent state and the political equality of the two sovereign states of the island. The stalemate in the negotiations is evident and there is still no way out.
Where did thousands of Russians come from in Northern Cyprus?
“There are several categories of Russian immigrants in Northern Cyprus. The first Russians who arrived here in the 1990s and 2000s considered this place mainly for recreation and investment, and bought “summer dachas” here,” Yulia Malaeva tells the correspondent of RG. who has been living in the northern part of Cyprus for more than 9 years and is engaged in a consulting business. – Later, students seeking to obtain a relatively inexpensive higher education in English were attracted here. It is believed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than tens of thousands of Russians lived here permanently. But last year there was a massive wave of migration of Russians to Cyprus and their numbers have increased very significantly.”
This should not be surprising for several reasons. First of all, we are talking about noticeably lower prices for food and real estate compared to southern Cyprus. Unlike the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, Russians can visit the Turkish-populated part of the island without a visa, and the procedure for obtaining a local residence permit is relatively simple. Furthermore, Turkish Cypriots are rapidly developing tourism, hotel and transportation infrastructure. Thus, last summer a new, modern terminal was inaugurated here at Ercan International Airport, where flights from Turkey arrive. All this attracts not only foreign tourists, but also many private investors to the northern part of Aphrodite Island. By the way, not only the Russians. As Turkish Cypriot politician Kudret Ozersay recently stated, in addition to Russian citizens in Northern Cyprus, citizens of Israel, Germany, Finland, Ukraine and Iran are actively purchasing real estate. The seemingly obvious risks of such investments, associated with the fact that we are talking about a “gray zone” from an international legal point of view, do not seem to scare anyone.
The only legal way, from Nicosia’s official point of view, to reach the northern part of the island is to fly first to the Republic of Cyprus and then cross the buffer zone through one of the crossings. Otherwise, problems may arise during a subsequent trip to South Cyprus. However, Russians usually choose an alternative route and travel to the north of the island by plane or ferry through Turkey. “For many people this is easier and faster. In addition, this route does not require additional costs for obtaining a Schengen visa or a Cyprus national visa,” says Yulia Malaeva.
Russian consular assistance in Northern Cyprus has long been expected
Having entered northern Cyprus through Turkey, many Russians found themselves essentially without consular support from their country. Because? As you know, the Russian embassy and consulate are located in the southern part of the island, and getting there after reaching northern Cyprus along the “Turkish route” is very problematic. But in such conditions, how can our fellow citizens solve purely everyday problems if they arise? How to simply apply for a new passport to replace the expired one? Receive a Russian birth certificate for a child or certify a power of attorney?
Until August 14, when the regular provision of consular services to Russians on the territory of Northern Cyprus began, the irregular reception of Russian citizens living in the north of the island by our consul was carried out in the buffer zone of the Ledra checkpoint. The problem, according to compatriots who spoke with RG, was that it was almost impossible to get here if, for example, your passport had expired. In addition, the reception hours at the “Cooperation House” located at the checkpoint, where citizens had to meet with our diplomats, were limited to third parties. “It was simply a shame to deal with consular affairs of citizens in such conditions. It happened that we were simply left on the street and had to work in the heat and rain under a canopy. It was no longer possible to tolerate this state. That’s how things are.” , employees of the Russian diplomatic mission in Nicosia explained to RG.
“We have been waiting for this bold decision for a long time. It has greatly simplified the life of Russians living in Northern Cyprus,” commented the head of the local Association of Russian-speaking residents of Northern Cyprus, Marina Kodzhadal, about the situation. beginning of the provision of consular services. Thus, the Russian government and the Russian embassy in Cyprus showed that they really care about their compatriots and their rights. In this sense, the measure adopted by Moscow is being debated on the Telegram channels of the Russian diaspora in northern Cyprus. Many Russians living here would like to see new initiatives, including the opening of a Russian cultural center, the start of flights between Russia and northern Cyprus and the resumption of direct flights from the Russian Federation to the south of the island.
After personally visiting the consular service of Russian citizens in Northern Cyprus, the RG correspondent was convinced that the news spread quickly among the local Russian diaspora. There is a young woman standing in a long line. I am interested in knowing how she got here, what she lives off of and what problems she intends to solve with the consul. The lady who introduces herself as Ekaterina answers: she moved to North Cyprus several years ago, works in the IT sector and has a stable remote income. “It really is much more convenient for me to solve everyday problems that arise. In addition, it saves a lot of time, money and nerves. After all, before, if my passport expired, I had to fly to Moscow or make an appointment.” “At the Russian consulate in Antalya. I hope that appointments will take place regularly. And I thank our diplomats for not forgetting about us. Now we feel more protected here!” says the interlocutor.
According to the head of the consular department of the Russian Embassy in the Republic of Cyprus, Artem Baykin, the provision of consular services in Northern Cyprus is in great demand among our fellow citizens. To date, regular receptions of citizens have been established and several hundred people have already registered in the electronic queue. “Most often people apply in connection with the issuance of new generation biometric passports, birth certificates, acquisition of citizenship and notarial issues,” the diplomat tells RG. It is planned to extend the reception hours so that the queue moves faster and our citizens do not feel their rights have been violated far from their homeland.
No political context
It is noteworthy that consulates of several Western countries have been operating in Northern Cyprus for a long time. The official website of the North Cypriot authorities published the addresses and contacts of the diplomatic missions of the United States, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, France and Australia.
“In fact, the Americans, British, Germans, French and others provide consular services to their citizens on our territory. In my opinion, this has been going on for about ten years,” said a senior North Cypriot official involved in foreign policy issues. RG. “As noted by the Turkish leader “Cypriot Ersin Tatar, due to the increase in the number of the Russian diaspora, we welcome the start of the provision of consular services by Russia to its citizens on our territory. But this does not mean the political recognition of our country by Moscow.”
The absence of political motives in the opening of the Russian consular office in Northern Cyprus was also noted at the Russian Embassy in Nicosia. “This decision should have been made a long time ago, it has no political overtones and is dictated solely by humanitarian considerations,” Russian ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Murat Zyazikov told RG. “We are obliged and will provide assistance to our compatriots. This is a priority for us,” said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Cyprus, noting that Moscow’s approaches to the Cypriot agreement remain unchanged.
Recently responding to a question about the start of consular services for compatriots in Northern Cyprus, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that “Russian citizens, wherever they are, must have adequate access to “effective consular assistance and assistance.” “And this work will continue in those forms that meet the national interests of our country,” Zakharova said during a press conference on Smolenskaya Square.
