Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s historic visit to Cyprus on December 9, 2024, comes with expectations of balanced diplomacy befitting a guarantor power. Instead, it is shaping up to be a diplomatic misstep.

The Labour leader, making the first visit by a UK Prime Minister to the island in more than five decades, has chosen to meet exclusively with the Greek Cypriot administration. This glaring omission of engagement with Turkish Cypriot representatives casts doubt on the UK’s commitment to impartiality and raises concerns about the credibility of its role in fostering peace and equality on the divided island.  

The Guarantor Power’s Responsibility  

Cyprus remains divided between its Greek Cypriot administration in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north—a reality that has persisted since Türkiye’s intervention in 1974 under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. Under the treaty, the UK, Türkiye, and Greece are tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and territorial balance of Cyprus.

Yet, Starmer’s current itinerary suggests a departure from this obligation. The TRNC Presidency, led by President Ersin Tatar, has formally requested a meeting with the UK Prime Minister through Special Representative Güneş Onar. According to an official statement from the TRNC Presidency, the meeting would have offered Starmer “a firsthand opportunity to learn about the Turkish Cypriot Side’s perspective.” The Prime Minister’s failure to include Turkish Cypriots on his agenda has left many in the TRNC feeling ignored and excluded from critical discussions impacting the island’s future.

The UK’s Geostrategic Interest in Cyprus  

One of the key topics for Starmer’s visit is the status of the UK’s Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island. Akrotiri and Dhekelia remain pivotal to British defense strategy, providing a strategic foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, the TRNC Presidency has highlighted that these bases exist on Cypriot soil, and their future cannot be discussed unilaterally with the Greek Cypriot administration.  

The TRNC’s statement rightly emphasizes that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides “has no jurisdiction or authority in being able to represent Turkish Cypriots, just like he has no authority in being able to represent the SBAs.” Ignoring this reality risks undermining the legitimacy of any agreements related to the bases, as well as Britain’s credibility as an impartial mediator.  

Diaspora Disappointment: The Turkish Cypriot Voice in the UK  

The UK is home to a vibrant Turkish Cypriot diaspora, which has contributed significantly to British society. This year, Labour MP Nesil Çalıskan became the first Turkish Cypriot elected to the UK Parliament, representing Barking. Her election is a source of pride for Turkish Cypriots and a milestone that should have strengthened Labour’s ties to this community.  

For many in the diaspora, Starmer’s one-sided approach to Cyprus feels like a betrayal. It disregards not only the contributions of Turkish Cypriots in the UK but also the principles of equality and representation that the Labour Party ostensibly champions.  

Parliamentary Advocacy for the TRNC  

In recent years, over 50 British MPs have voiced support for ending the isolation of the TRNC. This includes calls for direct flights to Ercan Airport and greater recognition of Turkish Cypriots as equal partners in resolving the Cyprus issue. DUP MPs have also joined this chorus, advocating for fair treatment of the TRNC and the need to address historical injustices stemming from international bias toward the Greek Cypriot side.  

These efforts reflect growing recognition in Westminster that the current status quo is unsustainable. Starmer’s decision to ignore the TRNC in his visit runs counter to this momentum and risks alienating MPs and constituents who have long called for a more balanced approach.  

Historical Parallels: The Lessons of 2004  

The marginalization of Turkish Cypriots is not new. In 2004, they overwhelmingly voted in favor of the UN-backed Annan Plan, which proposed a reunified, bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. Despite their goodwill, the Greek Cypriot side rejected the plan, yet retained their exclusive claim to international representation.  

This rejection was met with a strong call from then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, stating that the rationale for their exclusion “no longer exists.” Two decades later, Starmer’s approach appears to ignore this precedent, further sidelining a community that has consistently sought peace and equality.  

The Need for Balanced Diplomacy  

Starmer’s visit is a missed opportunity to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to impartiality and equity. By excluding the TRNC, Britain is perpetuating a narrative that ignores half the island’s population. This risks entrenching divisions, further isolating Turkish Cypriots, and emboldening the Greek Cypriot administration’s monopolistic approach to representation.  

TCE Conclusion: A Call for Equality  

As a guarantor power and a nation that prides itself on fairness, the UK must do better. Starmer’s government should engage with Turkish Cypriots not as an afterthought but as equal stakeholders in Cyprus’s future.  

Failure to do so risks not only undermining Britain’s credibility but also alienating a vibrant diaspora and a growing constituency of parliamentary advocates. True leadership lies in building bridges, not reinforcing walls. It is time for Britain to live up to its responsibilities and foster a future in Cyprus that is inclusive, just, and truly representative.  

References  

- Statement of the Presidency of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, December 8, 2024.  
- "Political opponents unite to demand end of Turkish Cypriot isolation," The Independent, May 29, 2024.  
- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Report on the Referendum, 2004.  
- Parliamentary Records on Turkish Cypriot Advocacy, House of Commons, 2024.