Amid cooling relations with Cyprus, Russia is taking an unprecedented step by initiating consular services in the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The development comes as Nicosia cultivates its ties with the West while curtailing its cooperation with Moscow.
The Cyprus News Agency reported the opening of Russian consular services in the occupied territory, which is indicative of the changing diplomatic dynamics in the region. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed the operationalization of mobile consular units to serve the needs of Russian citizens residing in the TRNC. The revelation came during a conversation about Ersin Tatar’s controversial claims and subsequent diplomatic talks between Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin.
Zakharova explained, “Consideration of the status and format of these units is underway. The need to provide consular services to Russians in northern Cyprus is not only timely but overripe.” She detailed the dispatch of a regular consular delegation to the northern part of Nicosia on September 21, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Russian-Cypriot relations.
With two mobile units capable of processing applications for new-generation passports, the Russian Consulate is meeting a significant demand. Zakharova highlighted the receipt of over 70 applications and the issuance of fifteen passports to minors. The influx of applications indicates a latent need for consular services, reinforced by the acceptance of numerous citizenship applications from Russian children.
In a compassionate gesture, consular officials have extended their services beyond traditional boundaries, making home visits to those unable to travel due to health problems. During a weekly briefing, Zakharova emphasized the ongoing nature of these efforts, saying, “Our work in this area is unceasing. The number of beneficiaries of consular services in northern Nicosia is about to reach 1,000, a testimony to the key role of our mission.”
The unfolding diplomatic scenario raises complicated questions as Russia embarks on its next consular mission, scheduled for the end of September. The extension of consular services, while seemingly a gesture of goodwill, comes against the backdrop of strained Russian-Cypriot relations. Nicosia’s tilt toward the West and its accompanying diplomatic restraints with Moscow make the situation complex and warrant a nuanced examination of Russia’s latest move’s geopolitical, diplomatic, and strategic implications.
Source: Gerçek News
