Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman cited a letter from the European Commission on Wednesday to argue that Greek Cypriot “confidence-eroding actions” are inconsistent with EU objectives on ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
In a post on social media, Erhürman said he received a response to a letter sent to the European Commission on 28 August regarding the Greek Cypriot side's "confidence-eroding actions", following attempts to have festivals and an event organised by the Barcelona football school cancelled.
In its response, the Commission referred to the EU Council decision adopted in 2004 aimed at ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, he said.
According to Erhürman, “It stated that civil society and private organisations which contribute to the socio-economic development of Turkish Cypriots, particularly young people, and which help foster closer relations between Turkish Cypriots and the EU, are consistent with the objectives set out in the EU's decision concerning the ending of isolation.”
In short, he argued, the EU said events in the north such as festivals and activities organised by the Barcelona football school, “far from being ‘unlawful because the TRNC is not recognised’, are in fact consistent with the objectives established under the EU's decisions aimed at ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriots”.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said he hoped the response from Brussels will provide “useful guidance both for the ongoing debate on this issue and for assessments regarding the confidence-eroding actions that have taken place”.
He concluded, saying that efforts will continue to ensure that “our young people can engage with the wider world”.
