Turkish Cypriot Nicosia "mayor" Mehmet Harmancı has spoken publicly for the first time about his withdrawal from the Cyprus Forum, saying the dispute was not about titles but what he described as the organisers’ “one-sided and insensitive retreat” in the face of pressure.
In a Facebook post, Harmancı focused particularly on the decision by Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos to also withdraw from the event, publicly thanking him for what he described as a display of courage, empathy and solidarity.
Harmancı says dispute was not about title
Harmancı said he has participated in events in Cyprus and abroad under the title “Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community of Nicosia”, with his priority being to use platforms that encourage reconciliation and cooperation between the two communities.
He argued that the controversy surrounding the Cyprus Forum did not concern titles or positions.
Instead, he described the issue as the Forum’s “one-sided and insensitive retreat” in response to pressure and demands which he attributed to what he called a “racist and divisive propaganda machine”.
Harmancı said the decision to withdraw was difficult and taken after careful consideration.
He added that the decision was initially communicated privately to the organisers and was not made public.
‘We achieved our goal by leaving together’
Harmancı offered particular praise to Prountzos for his subsequent decision to withdraw in solidarity.
“When we decided to participate in this event together, our common goal was to strengthen dialogue, trust and cooperation between our communities,” he said.
“This time, not by participating together but by withdrawing together, we achieved our goal.”
Cooperation in Nicosia to continue
Harmancı said he intends to continue working with Prountzos to strengthen cooperation in Nicosia and oppose what he described as efforts to foster hostility and hatred between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
“Regardless of titles or status, we will continue to struggle together against those who try to sow hostility and hatred between our communities,” he said.
Concluding his statement, Harmancı stressed that reconciliation requires willingness to confront division rather than retreat from it.
“Peace cannot be built with fear. It is built with courage,” he said.
