The Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, commented on the developments surrounding the so-called “Barcelona issue.”
In statements released by the “Presidency,” Mr. Erhurman emphasized that he does not accept that any Greek Cypriot or Turkish Cypriot youth should be deprived of the opportunities enjoyed by young people in the rest of the world. “The sorrow of a Greek Cypriot youth cannot be my joy, nor can I accept that the sorrow of a Turkish Cypriot youth be turned into joy for any Greek Cypriot,” he said.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
At the same time, he expressed his legal opinion that the participation of young people, artists, or associations from other countries in events in the occupied areas does not constitute recognition of the pseudo-state, just as the participation of Greek Cypriots in events in Turkey does not imply recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Ankara.
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Although he emphasized that such initiatives should not be politicized, he referred to the positions of the UN, the European Union, and the Council of Europe since 2004 regarding the need to lift the “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots.
“The cancellation of a festival or the prevention of children from playing soccer may be labeled a ‘diplomatic success’ by some, but from a human perspective, they are a clear defeat for humanity,” he noted.
Source: CNA
