British MPs Visiting TRNC Spark Debate in UK Media
Source: North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus
Recent allegations against British parliamentarians who visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have surfaced in the British media. Diplomatic sources have highlighted that the Turkish Cypriot community in the UK has been instrumental in raising awareness of the Turkish Cypriots’ stance, Kibris Postasi reported.
Some British press reports, also echoed in Greek and Turkish Cypriot media, contained allegations regarding the MPs’ visits to the TRNC. Diplomatic sources pointed out that due to the increased efforts of the Turkish Cypriot community and civil society organisations in the UK, Turkish Cypriot viewpoints are now being more actively discussed in British public opinion and Parliament, where the Greek Cypriot perspective had previously dominated.
In this context, many British MPs aware of the injustices faced by the TRNC and Turkish Cypriots on the international stage, visited the TRNC to observe the situation firsthand and engage with local officials. Diplomatic sources clarified that, in line with UK practices, MPs can travel abroad as long as they follow the required procedures. These trips can be funded by private companies or foreign governments, but MPs must declare their expenses after the visit. According to sources, all parliamentarians who visited the TRNC over the past 18 months have fulfilled these reporting obligations.
Additionally, parliamentary rules require MPs to declare foreign visits before asking related questions in Parliament. Some MPs who inquired about the TRNC failed to do this initially, but the necessary declarations were made retroactively.
Diplomatic sources further noted that similar lobbying efforts have been conducted by other foreign countries for years in the UK. However, the way routine visits involving Turkish Cypriots are being portrayed in the media is seen as part of a long-standing campaign of intimidation and pressure against the Turkish Cypriot community.
Kibris Postasi
The original article: belongs to North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus .
