How could Europe play hard with Turkey over Cyprus?

Tourists look at a wall blocking a road and a banner showing a divided Cyprus in the UN buffer zone separating the Republic of Cyprus and Turkish-occupied islands in the capital Nicosia on July 20, 2023. Cyprus celebrated the 49th anniversary of the Turkish occupation. [Petros Karadjias/AP]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is riding high after usurping Europe and forcing not only Sweden but also NATO to humiliate him as a usurper. For the first time, NATO accepted Turkey’s terrorist label in its documents for organizations that neither NATO nor Europe considers to be terrorists. Meanwhile, members of the Islamic State, an al-Qaeda-linked Syrian organization, and US-designated terrorist organizations roam freely in Istanbul and Ankara.

Turkey’s terrorist connection is increasingly threatening the security of Europe. Last month, for example, Cyprus stopped an Iranian terrorist attack targeting Israeli and Jewish interests on the island. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps used Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus as its home ground. Turkish intelligence and soldiers are creeping into the region occupied by Turkey. No one can enter without the permission of Turkish intelligence. It is naive to believe that Turkey is unaware of Iran’s existence. Northern Cyprus may once have been a sleepy manifestation of a frozen conflict, but today it is a growing security concern.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson have undermined Europe’s commitment to democracy and freedom, but Europe must not allow Erdogan to have the last word or walk away victorious in front of the Turkish people. It is time for Europe to go on the offensive to reverse Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus. Europe has many potential axes in its policy.

Visa violators: One part of Turkey’s understanding after Vilnius is that its EU membership aspirations will get a boost in exchange for an agreement to lift its veto against Sweden. It is unwise for Turkey to receive any integration into Europe while continuing to occupy a member state. If the European Union is serious about its defense, it needs to come up with a policy. Any non-EU citizen using Ercan International Airport in the occupied zone should face permanent bans on Schengen and European visas and cancellation of European work permits if they enter the EU illegally. Every other country punishes illegal immigrants; There is no reason why Cyprus should be an exception. The Russians, Turks, Iranians and Israelis who disrespect the sovereignty of Cyprus must pay the price.

Both Turkish Airlines and Turkey’s low-cost Pegasus Airlines fly to Northern Cyprus and seek to profit from the tourist trade. Europe should not tolerate this

Stop Turkish and Pegasus Airlines: Both Turkish Airlines and Turkey’s low-cost Pegasus Airlines fly to Northern Cyprus and try to profit from the tourist trade. Europe should not tolerate this. It’s time for Europe to demand: Either you fly to Europe or you support the occupation of Cyprus, but you do neither. There are also strategic reasons for sanctioning Turkish Airlines. He is not only the flag bearer of Turkey, but also the flag bearer of Erdoganism. The state owns 49 percent of the company, but the rest is dominated by Erdogan’s allies and cronies. European security agencies would be remiss to believe that Turkish Airlines wouldn’t be smuggled into Europe after wiretapping a decade ago revealed the airline’s involvement in clandestine arms shipments to Nigeria. Erdogan also used an airline to transport refugees to Belarus, where he used their presence at the Polish border to blackmail Brussels. If Europe was serious about ending Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus, and making irredentist claims against both Greece and Bulgaria, it would ban Turkish Airlines from its airspace and airports. Erdogan could threaten to retaliate against European carriers, but that would be an empty bluff. With Turkey’s economy on life support, can Erdogan really afford European tourists to bypass Turkey altogether? There are many Greek beaches and resorts that could accommodate the influx of tourists if they tried.

Northern Cyprus offices: The so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an illegal entity and a terrorist Trojan horse in Europe following Iran’s latest plot. With offices in Brussels, London, Geneva, Stockholm, Berlin, Strasbourg, Budapest and Helsinki, it is a shame for its European hosts, who have to do nothing to tolerate its claims to statehood or even legitimacy. These offices carry no diplomatic value. The occupation regime cannot sign a letter without the prior approval of Turkish intelligence or the Turkish General Staff. If Europe is serious about its territorial integrity and resisting aggression, it is time to stop sending mixed messages. Europe should close all its offices in Northern Cyprus and adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards Turkish irredentism.

Erdogan enjoys playing hardball with Europe. It is time for European leaders to show they can return the favor.

Michael Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Entrepreneurship Institute.