Political And Economic Embargoes On Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus

There are two different embargoes that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has suffered from in the last 21 years: political and economic. Since they are implemented through different mechanisms, their elimination would also require different strategies.
The political embargo is the real serious one because it was implemented by two different U.N. Security Council resolutions (UNSCR).
UNSCR No. 541 adopted on November 18, 1983, just three days after the TRNC was announced an independent republic, "deplored" the formation of the TRNC and declared it "legally invalid," and called upon all the states of the world not to recognize TRNC.
541 was adopted with a vote of 13, 1 against (Pakistan) and 1 abstention (Jordan).
UNSCR No. 550 adopted on May 11, 1984 reaffirmed 541 and reiterated "the call upon all States not to recognize the purported state of the `Turkish Republic on Northern Cyprus` set up by secessionist acts and calls upon them not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity..."
550 was adopted with a vote of 13, 1 against (Pakistan) and 1 abstention (USA).
Thus the de jury recognition of TRNC as an independent republic probably requires another U.N. Security Council resolution. Given Russia`s (a permanent UNSC member) flat out opposition to the Annan Plan and the vulnerability of the USA vis-a-vis France (another permanent member) and Germany (membership ends December 2004) due to Iraq imbroglio, the United States should not be expected to lift even a single finger any time soon to push for the TRNC`s political recognition.
However Pakistan, who had voted against both 541 and 550, is currently a member of the U.N. Security Council. Can`t she at least circulate a petition to that effect? Since I am not an expert on the inner workings of the U.N., I am not sure whether that would be effective or even possible at all. But just a thought in this day and age when some of Turkey`s presumed "brothers" seem to be doing precious little when it comes to lending a helping hand to the Turkish-Cypriots. But then, that`s politics I suppose...
One exciting recent development is the news story that the European Commission has reportedly asked the United Nations to "review" the "sanctions" on TRNC. But does this pertain to the non-political sanctions or does it aim to reverse the resolutions 541 and 550, I am not sure at this point.
The economic embargo, however, is a totally different matter.
The trade sanction on TRNC (or more precisely, refusal to recognize any commercial certificates issued by TRNC) was first implemented by a British court in 1994 as a response to a Greek-Cypriot complaint regarding the Turkish-Cypriot exports to the United Kingdom. To appreciate the impact of this decision just consider the fact that in 1994 some 80% of all the citrus crop grown by TRNC were exported directly to the United Kingdom.
Again in 1994, the Greek-Cypriots managed to maneuver a similar decision from EU Court of Justice (EJC). ECJ ruled that EU members must not accept certificates issued by TRNC, which was a tremendous blow for the economy of the North.
Thus, despite the popular belief to the contrary, I do not believe the trade sanctions have originated by any United Nations resolutions. Since the EU, contrary to the UN, does not represent all nations of the world, perhaps it might be easier for the other willing parties to lift the TRNC sanctions unilaterally.
This is an excellent opportunity (isn`t it?) for countries like Azerbaijan, Bangladesh and Pakistan to prove their worth and lead the way in ending the economic strangulation of 200,000 Turkish-Cypriots for the last ten years.
The chances are the trade sanctions will erode rapidly in the months ahead given the quick steps the EU has already taken in that direction. The EU decided to release $311 million reserved for the North following the acceptance of the Annan Plan by both sides. Given the Turkish "yes," EU Commissioner Verheugen has decided to send a little message to the Greek-Cypriot side by releasing the funds to the North.
I understand the EU has also decided to open an office in the North and allow the export of TRNC products through the South. If the South blocks the North`s exports, they would be violating not the Greek-Cypriot rules and regulations but those of the European Union. At this point I do not think they are ready to do that, yet.
EU has also decided that EU tourists can cross the Green Line from the South and visit the North. That`s again something that fell within the domain of the "sanctions" in the past. That`s another good sign that the end of the economic embargo may well be at hand.
The concern here of course is that the Turkish side may get so complacent and relaxed by all these good developments that they might actually let the "strategic goal bar" drop from a full political recognition of the TRNC to just lifting of the economic sanctions. In the months ahead we`ll see how focused, disciplined and persistent the Turkish side can be.
Given the excellent leadership the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided recently on the Cyprus issue, I am willing to bet that they will not miss out on the Big One.