To the TRNC via Baku

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, I thought this was of interest.

Azerbaijan to establish air link with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

BAKU - Azerbaijan is due to establish regular flights to north Cyprus in late July, the Baku-based Improtex travel agency chief told AFP. “On July 31 Baku will establish regular flights to north Cyprus,” Improtex Travel’s director Alexander Kuliyev said late Friday, adding that “I want to develop new tourist routes, and Cyprus seems like a good sphere to me.” The Tu-154 plane would fly to Cyprus every Sunday, but flights may become more frequent if need be, Kuliyev said. On June 30, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said in talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Azerbaijan needed to set up ties with north Cyprus

After the war in 1974 between the Greeks and Turks, the island was divided in two and since then the north has been decimated by international embargos. During my time there, I snapped the following picture which shows quite well the stark difference between the north and south. Though Cyprus has indeed joined the EU, it’s not all fun and games yet. Travel is open between the two sides (had opened about 1 month before my trip in Sept 2004) though Turkish citizens are fobidden from crossing into the south. Everyone else is allowed. The north is very undeveloped with very little plumbing, sketchy electricity, widespread unemployment and little tourism. However, real estate prices were slowly rising when I was there as many British tourists, anticipating reunification of the island within a few years, were buying up property in the picturesque and untouched North. It is also home to three breathtaking crusader castles, another of Chirol’s many hobbies, but that’s another story.

To see the comparison shot, click below. The contrast is incredible. The photo was taken atop Woolworths in Nicosia which is the capital city, and the only divided capital city left in the world.