Actions that hinder confidence-building, including the cancellation of events, run counter to efforts to create a favorable climate for the Cyprus issue, says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a reply to Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, according to reports in the occupied territories.
According to the Turkish Cypriot online press, the letter is dated October 16, 2026, and responds to a letter from Mr. Erhurman dated August 28, in which he made allegations regarding the obstruction of cultural, sports, political, and diplomatic activities of Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot side.
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Mr. Guterres reportedly noted that he had carefully considered the concerns conveyed to him, describing such developments as discouraging and contrary to his repeated calls for initiatives to strengthen mutual trust.
At the same time, he underscores the need to continue contacts and cooperation between the two sides in order to create the conditions that will allow for the launch of a process toward a lasting solution.
According to the same reports, the UN Secretary-General stated that he asked his personal envoy to continue working with both sides to implement confidence-building measures as a matter of priority. He also asked that it be reiterated to all parties involved that actions that hinder the building of trust—such as the cancellation of events—run counter to joint efforts.
In his letter, Mr. Erhurman had referred, among other things, to music festivals, a Barcelona soccer camp, and diplomatic contacts, arguing that efforts to obstruct them strain relations between the two communities.
Source: CNA
