TRNC and Reciprocity Principle in International Relations

An integral part of political life is Arnold J. Toynbee's famous "Challange & Respond" thesis. Toynbee explained his thesis not as Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" but rather as the encounter and comparison of civilizations in his 6-volume work "A Study Of History".  In fact, there is no need to go too far, this is the sine qua non of foreign policy, both the original and the chapter of the famous principle of "reciprocity". So what is this "reciprocity"?  

In pure lexical terms, reciprocity is defined as a state or condition of reciprocity; a reciprocal action or relationship; a return. The motive for reciprocity is the interest of the other party, and the intention is to maximize that party's benefit from the relationship. While both reciprocity and exchange are generally understood as creating mutual benefit within a relationship, they are not an exchange. The distinction between reciprocity and exchange revolves around motivations and intentions. (1) In my view, it is a sine qua non of being human, of living in society. 

In inter-state relations, reciprocity is the principle of responding to the behavior in the same way. Reciprocity is one of the fundamental principles of international law. This principle is particularly applied in the law of treaties, diplomatic and consular law, minority treaties, human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law. In fact, the principle of international reciprocity is considered as an indication that states have equal sovereign rights with each other. 

For example, the principle of reciprocity is fully applied to diplomatic immunities and privileges and public property between states. Reciprocity is usually fully operational in bilateral treaties or relations. If one party refuses to abide by the treaty between them, the other party does the same, so that both parties lose the benefit of cooperation. Thus, states express their expectations from other states through the principle of reciprocity. There is therefore a close relationship between justice, which is the ideal of law, and reciprocity. (2) 

Let's talk about the Turkish public's perception of reciprocity. The Turkish principle of reciprocity, to paraphrase the late Political Science lecturer Prof. Dr. Seha Meray, means "Retaliation in kind".  This is partly reflected in the legacy we inherited from the Ottoman Empire. It is not just a little bit, it is our "reason for existence". Interestingly, looking at the "List of Countries with Reciprocity Principles and Agreements", there is a "Reciprocity Principle and Agreement" between the Federal Republic of Germany and the TRNC, even though it does not recognize it. (3) It is a serious example of interestingness that includes the agreement that the two states and their rulers are considered equal to each other in terms of law and protocol. 

The TRNC, which today is recognized only by the Republic of Turkey as it is considered a "de facto" or "de facto" state by the UN, is directly related to the "Reciprocity Principle and Agreement". The term "de facto state" is an international legal term that means "de facto", "in reality", "in practice" and is used for situations that exist de facto but are not legally recognized. The ongoing power struggle in the Eastern Mediterranean, with its warming waters and fossil fuel resources, is important in the context of the increasing support of the US, Greece and the GCASC. 

Especially after the appointment of Metin Feyzioğlu, former President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, as the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nicosia, it has been a harbinger that the world public opinion will witness more law-based breakthroughs and expansions of Turkey in the coming period. Mr. Feyzioğlu is not the first non-foreign ambassador to Nicosia. Non-foreign ambassadors have been appointed to the TRNC before and received their ambassadorship on the first day. Prof. Dr. Metin Feyzioğlu is an experienced jurist who is politically inclined, has a tradition of diplomacy, is well-equipped and has a superior knowledge of international law. (4) His appointment as the Turkish Ambassador to the TRNC in this period of time has also met with positive interest from the TRNC authorities. 

Now let's sit on the straight and narrow. One of the main reasons for the escalation of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean is the encouragement and pampering of both Greece and the GCASC by the EU(D) and the support of their indiscretions and imprudence. It is to ignore the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, who have proven their competence in the Annan Plan, which respects international law. It is an undeniable fact that the island of Cyprus is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots who see themselves as part of the Turkish nation and Greek Cypriots who see themselves as an element of Hellenism. Despite all the efforts of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, a cultural identity that identifies itself as Cypriot has not been established on the island, as US officials often repeat. The opponents of this idea have been Greece and the Greek Cypriots, and the negotiations aiming at 'federation' were finally registered and concluded with the rejection of the Annan Plan. 

The fact that 50 years ago, the US still insists on the "federation" formula, which was negotiated taking into account the conditions of the Greek Cypriot side's intransigence many times, is incompatible with the changing and current conditions. It should be known by everyone that there are two free peoples and two states determined to live independently on the island. Naturally, none of the actions aimed at usurping the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey will be allowed, and in this direction, the requirements of the TRNC's one-month call to the UN Peacekeeping Force will be fulfilled. The need for a legal arrangement between the TRNC and the UN in order for the UN Peacekeeping Force to continue its presence and activities in the TRNC is often ignored despite the fact that it has been recorded in almost all negotiation minutes. The TRNC has acted proactively in the face of the UN's unmindful attitude and has submitted a draft agreement to the UN authorities in the interest of both sides and has given a one-month deadline. This step, which will pave the way for the UN Peacekeeping Force's activities in the TRNC, is directly related to reciprocity.  

Turkey is also participating in taking similar reciprocity measures. For example, as President Erdoğan announced on October 6, 2022 on his return from his visit to the Czech Republic, "We placed UAVs and UCAVs in Northern Cyprus. Our UAVs and UCAVs are there right now" is the equivalent of this principle in the field in a way directly related to reciprocity. Just as reputation cannot be compromised in international relations, it is a justified indication that reciprocity can never, ever be compromised. In fact, an important preparation was made before this decision. Three years ago, on December 13, 2019, the TRNC Council of Ministers decided to use Geçitkale Airport for drone activities. Subsequently, the TRNC government also approved the allocation of Geçitkale Airport to the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command (KTBK) upon Turkey's request. In this context, Bayraktar TB2 type UAV, which was stationed at Dalaman Naval Air Base Command, flew to Geçitkale Airport after the necessary preparations. (5) 

As is well known, the fact that ancient Greek mythology has been decisively used as the basis of the education system in the Western world, and that ancient Greece is wrongly regarded as the cradle of Western democracy, and that Turks are characterized as barbarians threatening Europe, constitute the basis for the problems. It must also be acknowledged that the Greek lobby is highly influential both in the US and in Europe. Against this influential Greek lobby, the Pentagon's balancing attempts using realism from time to time cannot prevent Hellenic impudence and impudence. One reality that must be accepted in advance is that not only in the United States but also in the entire western world, Greeks have always been and are seen to be in a more advantageous position than Turks. The embargo and inhumane isolation measures imposed on Turkish Cypriots do not bother any other nation in the world except Turkey. In this situation, if one is looking for a culprit, the blame for the failure to end the Cyprus problem lies with the UN Security Council. Therefore, as mentioned above, the need for law more than ever has become evident in the recent ambassadorial appointments.  

The Republic of Turkey, which has the longest coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has allocated two seismic research vessels, Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha and MTA Oruç Reis, and four deep-sea drillships, Fatih, Yavuz, Kanunî and the latest addition, Sultan Abdülhamid Han, to conduct seismic research and, when necessary, drilling in hydrocarbon resources. In this situation, Turkey, together with the TRNC, is taking the necessary measures to consolidate, strengthen and reinforce its security. Undoubtedly, at this point, the "Blue Homeland" doctrine opens our horizon and enlightens our path. In other words, it has been deemed necessary to establish a naval base in the TRNC, on the Karpaz peninsula, to serve the Turkish navy in order to resolutely continue to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community against all threats. The TRNC Council of Ministers leased a land in Dipkarpaz Zafer Cape, owned by the Foundations Administration, to the TRNC Security Forces Command for military use for 30 years rent-free. In order to make a note in history, the decision taken by the TRNC Council of Ministers has been put into flesh and bones as follows:

"In the light of what is stated in the motion, the Council of Ministers, in accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors of the Foundations Administration and Religious Affairs dated September 21, 2021 and numbered K/112/2021, decided that the properties belonging to the Foundations Administration within the borders of the village of Dipkarpaz in the İskele accident and specified on the map attached to the motion and detailed information given in the table below, will be given to the use of the TRNC Security Forces Command for 30 years without any rental fee, considering that it will be a military use area."(6)

Yes, dear readers, as the TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, who answered the questions of DW Turkish, clearly stated, the establishment of a naval base in the Karpaz peninsula to serve the Turkish navy against the armament initiatives of Greece and Greek Cypriots is a prominent opening for retaliation, as Seha Meray also clearly stated. 

Footnotes

(1) "What is Reciprocity? The Principle of Reciprocity and List of Countries with Agreements", Hürriyet Newspaper, June 09, 2021; https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/egitim/mutekabiliyet-nedir-mutekabiliyet-ilkesi-ve-anlasmasi-olan-ulkeler-listesi-41828847/Erişim Date 06.11.2022/

(2) Süleyman Dost, "The Principle of Reciprocity in International Law", Journal of S.D.Ü. Faculty of Law C.5, S.2, Year 2015, p.1

(3) List of Countries with the Principle of Reciprocity and Agreements: United States of America - Kazakhstan; Federal Republic of Germany - TRNC; Albania - Costa Rica; Australia - Liechtenstein; Austria - Lithuania; Azerbaijan - Luxembourg; Argentina - Hungary; Bulgaria - Macedonia; Czech Republic - Mexico; People's Republic of China - Mali; Denmark - Malta; Indonesia - Norway; Finland - Pakistan; South Korea (Republic of Korea) - Paraguay; Georgia - Portugal; Croatia - Peru; Netherlands - Poland; United Kingdom - Russian Federation; Ireland - Romania; Sweden - Senegal; Switzerland - Serbia; Spain - Slovakia; Israel - Slovenia; Italy - Tajikistan; Japan - Uruguay; Montenegro - Ukraine; Canada - Greece.

(4) Fatih Doğan, "First UAV took off from Turkey to TRNC Geçitkale Airport" Anadolu Agency, 16.12.2019 https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/turkiyeden-kktc-gecitkale-havalimanina-ilk-iha-havalandi/1674630/Erişim Date 06.11.2022/

(5) Dünya, "I think the naval base is necessary", Yeni Birlik Gazetesi, November 5, 2022, p.11.

(6) "Turkey's move to change the balance in the region! A military naval base will be established on the Karpaz Peninsula in Cyprus..." Vatan Newspaper, 20.10.2021; https://www.gazetevatan.com/gundem/turkiyeden-bolgede-dengeleri-degistirecek-hamle-kibristaki-karpaz-yarimadasinda-askeri-deniz-ussu-kurulacak-1420119/ Access Date 06.11.2022/