Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman has argued that young people should not lose opportunities because of the Cyprus problem, commenting on reactions surrounding the Barcelona issue.
In a social media post, Erhürman said both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth should enjoy the same opportunities as young people elsewhere in the world, adding that the disappointment of one community should not become a source of satisfaction for the other.
He also argued that the participation of young people, artists or associations from other countries in events held in the north does not constitute recognition of the self-declared "TRNC", just as, in his view, the participation of Greek Cypriots in events in Turkey does not amount to Turkish recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.
Call for more youth contact
Erhürman said such events should not be viewed through a political lens.
However, if a political dimension is sought, he pointed to statements made after 2004 by the United Nations, the European Union and bodies of the Council of Europe calling for an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
He reiterated his support for strengthening contacts between young people from both communities, saying he had advocated from the outset for joint sporting and other activities involving children and youth.
"A defeat for everyone"
Referring to developments surrounding the festival and similar cases, Erhürman said some may regard the cancellation of an event or efforts to prevent children from participating in sporting activities as a "diplomatic victory".
From his perspective, however, this was not the case.
"When viewed from a humanitarian perspective, it is quite clear to me that this constitutes a defeat for all people and for humanity as a whole," he said.
Excerpts from Erhürman's statement
"I would not want any Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot young person to be deprived, because of the Cyprus problem, of the opportunities available to young people in other countries."
"As a lawyer, I also believe that the participation of young people, artists or associations from other countries in any event held in our country does not mean those countries recognise the TRNC. Just as the participation of Greek Cypriot young people in events held in Turkey does not mean Turkey recognises the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus."
"If trust is to be built on this island, trust must first be built among young people themselves."
"You may call the cancellation of a festival, or attempts to prevent children from playing football, a 'diplomatic victory'. But from a humanitarian perspective, it is a defeat for everyone."
