YUSUF KANLI

A new era in Turkey YUSUF KANLI

A new era in Turkey

It was a very long night. Who won and who lost may be argued for months to come particularly in regards to the outcome for the seat of Istanbul mayor.

April 01 2019
Cyprus deal can only be under EU roof YUSUF KANLI

Cyprus deal can only be under EU roof

Since the 1968 start at a Beirut hotel between two great politicians — Rauf Denktaş and Glafkos Clerides — the Cyprus intercommunal talks successfully defied all efforts for a resolution. Is there any need to go to the times before independence from the British colonial rule in 1960?

March 28 2019
Elections and beyond YUSUF KANLI

Elections and beyond

It could be argued that whoever does or does not emerge as successful in Sunday’s mayoral elections might not be an issue for the average Turk, as at the end of the day, there will not be much improvement in living conditions irrespective of who wins. Is that really the case? I doubt.

March 25 2019
Terrorism is a common threat in the world YUSUF KANLI

Terrorism is a common threat in the world

The world has suffered sufficiently from terrorism. Common description, determined collaboration and concerted global efforts are needed to make the world a safer place.

March 18 2019
Indiscriminate equality in front of the law YUSUF KANLI

Indiscriminate equality in front of the law

After months, a friend who I had not heard from for a long time called. She asked to meet up over coffee. Moments later, we met. She had been out of prison for a long time, but our paths somehow hadn’t crossed. “Shame on you,” she said. “I would expect a friend like you to at least say hello and try to learn the ordeal I have been through.”

March 13 2019
Fundamentals of the Cyprus issue YUSUF KANLI

Fundamentals of the Cyprus issue

There appears to be a problem in understanding what a magical tool a “two states in EU” idea might serve for a resolution of the Cyprus problem that defied repeated efforts and armies of mediators since the 1968 start of the Cyprus talks.

March 06 2019
Right messages vs wrong messages in the East Med YUSUF KANLI

Right messages vs wrong messages in the East Med

There appears to be a difficulty regarding passing on Turkey’s messages to foreign diplomats or Turkey has difficulty in understanding messages from Europe irrespective how strong or clearly they are worded.

March 04 2019
Turkey and the EU: A troublesome flirt YUSUF KANLI

Turkey and the EU: A troublesome flirt

How many people remember the historic photograph in which a majority of the members of the European Parliament, including socialists, conservatives, liberals and environmentalists, all united, declared their support for the start of Turkey’s accession talks? That was not so long ago. The vote took place on Dec. 15, 2004, with a result of 262 to 407. MPs voted and held placards bearing the words “Yes” or “Oui” along with logos of Turkey and the EU.

February 25 2019
A pluralist debate in Turkish Cyprus YUSUF KANLI

A pluralist debate in Turkish Cyprus

Like it or not, there is a working democracy in North Cyprus. For more than five hours, one after the other, an array of politicians grilled Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı and his position at the faltered Cyprus talks.

February 20 2019