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Last update - 06:51 10/03/2008 Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to open trade office in Israel By Barak Ravid ,Haaretz Correspondent Tags: trade, cyprus, turkey, israel The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will open a trade office in Israel in the coming weeks, with the assistance of the law office of Dov Weissglas, the former bureau chief of prime minister Ariel Sharon. The office will hold no diplomatic status and aims to further economic dealings between Israel and northern Cyprus. Israel's Foreign Ministry has tried to tread carefully around the issue, fearing a backlash in relations with the Republic of Cyprus, which controls the southern portion of the island and is a member state of the European Union. Cyprus was divided into a Greek-controlled south and a Turkish-controlled north in 1974, following a failed coup engineered with support from Athens, and a subsequent Turkish invasion. In 1983 the Turkish Cypriot minority established an independent republic in the north, but to date only Turkey has recognized it. Advertisement In an effort to further recognition for Northern Cyprus, Turkey sought to establish an interests office for the breakaway republic with diplomatic status, and raised this in talks with President Shimon Peres in Ankara last November. Israel refused to grant this status, maintaining its official position that "Israel operates in accordance with decisions of the United Nations and other international bodies and does not recognize Northern Cyprus as an independent entity." As such, a source at the Foreign Ministry said that "if indeed such an office is established in Israel, it will not enjoy diplomatic recognition." This is not a problem that Northern Cyprus has experienced only in Israel. However, establishing an office that handles economic interests is possible, and Northern Cyprus has similar bureaus in the U.S., Italy, Germany and other countries. In some countries, these offices have consular status and issue visas. Weissglas was approached to facilitate the establishment of the office in Tel Aviv, hiring personnel and acquiring the necessary documents. A representative from Northern Cyprus is due to arrive shortly from Cyprus. Weissglas refused to comment, saying that "this is a professional matter with a client would not want respond." There is no law in Israel barring the establishment of an office representing economic interests, and the only restriction is with countries with whom trade is banned, such as Iran, Syria or Iraq. A source involved in the matter noted that the Turks "did not want to press [on opening a diplomatic representation] and decided to go for something that was less complicated. "The Northern Cypriots want business and are not looking for politics through the back door," said the source. Most of the business activities of Israelis in northern Cyprus revolves around real estate and tourism investments, including casinos. Israel is keen not to find itself embroiled in a confrontation with either Turkey, on the one hand, or with Greece and Cyprus on the other. As such, the ministry has kept a low profile and avoided any semblance of official contact. Related articles: Israel nixes Turkey's request to open Turkish Cypriot rep office A new dawn in Cyprus, or just another day? Not at Nicosia's expense Cyprus invasion Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bring down the house Knesset speaker calls for wrecking of yeshiva killer's family home. Frum and fabulous Beauty salons offer Haredi women a unique brand of modest glamour.   1.   Greece and Cyprus not very friendly to Israel 08:49  |  Semsem 10/03/08   2.   What a shame for Israel! 09:19  |  V 10/03/08   3.   Semsen, unfair judgement 09:32  |  V 10/03/08   4.   "Palestine" and "Northern Cyprus" 11:28  |  Nadav 10/03/08   5.   Very consistent... 11:30  |  Yiannis 10/03/08   6.   Unhistorical Nadav 11:55  |  V 10/03/08   7.   I guess that will be the last countrry recognizing Israel 11:56  |  John 10/03/08   8.   Additional problems may emerge 12:12  |  ioannis 10/03/08   9.   Resp. to Nadav 13:00  |  Ioannis 10/03/08   10.   TO V good relationship with Turkey 14:15  |  CM 10/03/08   11.   Rewarding misbehaviour 14:22  |  nina 10/03/08   12.   It took Greece 30 years to recognise Israel 16:40  |  Albert 10/03/08   13.   #2 40,000 Turks fled the Greek Area. 16:46  |  Semsem 10/03/08   14.   Northern Cyprus #V 17:46  |  Yitzek 10/03/08   15.   #14, Yitzek don`t shoot the pianist 19:28  |  V 10/03/08   16.   #12, keep small basket 19:41  |  V 10/03/08   17.   #11, Nina and kicking out 19:53  |  V 10/03/08   18.   #13, a nice effort 20:02  |  V 10/03/08   19.   Northern Cyprus #V 22:25  |  Yitzek 10/03/08   20.   Greeks are Holocaust Deniers 23:50  |  Slibovitz 10/03/08   21.   #20 Jewish Anti-hellenism 01:35  |  V 11/03/08   22.   #19 Black sheeps or modern slaves? 01:45  |  V 11/03/08   23.   #21 - Great news. Doesn`t change anything 05:05  |  Slibovitz 11/03/08   24.   #23, Do change wrong ideas 08:15  |  V 11/03/08   25.   Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to open trade office in Israe 19:39  |  teo 12/03/08

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