Ataoğlu criticizes RoC efforts to prevent tourists from visiting the North

Ataoğlu made a statement regarding the efforts of the Greek Cypriot Administration to prevent tourists from crossing to the North for the day

Ataoğlu made a statement regarding the efforts of the Greek Cypriot Administration to prevent tourists crossing to the North for the day and said that these efforts of Southern Cyprus are contrary to the basic principles of the European Union, such as free movement and non-restriction of freedoms.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu criticized the new agreement of the Greek Cypriot Administration with the TUI tour operator, which will prevent the passage of tourists coming from Europe to Southern Cyprus to Northern Cyprus, and said that it will negatively affect our country both economically and socially, but beyond all these, it is also an explicable aspect in terms of restricting the freedom of travel and free movement rights of tourists visiting our country He underlined that it does not exist.

He emphasized that the EU's remaining a spectator to this practice and maintaining its silence on such an issue that contradicts its basic principles will support this illogical situation and will be instrumental in demonstrating its unilateral attitude on the Island once again.

Tourists not allowed to visit the TRNC

Stating that this practice, which will deprive tourists of the opportunity and right to see the entire island, cannot be explained by both EU laws and the nature of tourism and human values, Ataoğlu said that this situation will fuel the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and hinder the search for a solution not only economically but also on the island.

Stating that such steps not only restrict the freedom of tourists but also cause further separation between the two peoples of the island, Ataoğlu stated that putting such obstacles in front of the tourism sector, which can strengthen the ties between the two communities, increase cultural understanding and contribute to the peace process, will serve no purpose other than deepening the problem on the island.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu also referred to the statement made by TUI, Germany's leading tour operator, and stated that the announcement that all tours to Northern Cyprus will be suspended until August 31, 2024, in accordance with the agreement reached with the administration of the "Republic of Cyprus", is a political decision contrary to the nature of tourism.

Announcing that the decision will be valid for all tours in the north of the border, Ataoğlu stated that this decision will also adversely affect local guides, "Not only to the tourism of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and not only at the state level, but also to both South and Northern Cyprus tourism and tour guides in both the South and the North with this application, stating that it will put tour guides in a difficult situation, "Tourism cannot be sacrificed to politics. This practice, which can also ignore people who earn a living from tourism, should be reversed as soon as possible."

"In particular, TUI's announcement that it plans to completely stop tours to Northern Cyprus by August 31, 2024 has created great uncertainty for local employees and tourism sector employees in the two communities," Ataoğlu said, adding, "The fact that the European Union and the UN, in particular, remain indifferent and spectators in the face of such practices seriously questions the impartiality and reliability of the two international unions for the Turkish Cypriots."

Underlining the need for the UN and the EU to immediately stop remaining silent and indifferent to the attitudes and behaviours of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus that will further deepen the separation between the two peoples, Ataoğlu said, "Without forgetting the fact that the Turkish Cypriot people also have basic human rights and freedoms, they should immediately reverse their biased attitudes and practices and stop such attempts as soon as possible."

Source (Turkish): TRNC Ministery of Tourism

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