Erhürman: “Preventing Children From Playing Football Is a Defeat for Humanity”

Erhürman said that hosting international events involving young people, artists or sports clubs in the TRNC should not be interpreted as political recognition.

“My View as a Human Being Is Very Clear”

Speaking on social media, Erhürman said he did not want any Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot youngster to be deprived of opportunities available to their peers elsewhere in the world because of the Cyprus problem.

“I do not want any Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot youngster to be deprived, because of the Cyprus problem, of opportunities that young people in other countries have,” he said.

Erhürman added that he could not regard the sadness experienced by a Greek Cypriot youngster because of the Cyprus problem as his own happiness, nor accept the sadness of a Turkish Cypriot youngster becoming a source of happiness for a Greek Cypriot.

“Such Events Do Not Constitute Recognition”

Erhürman said that, from a legal perspective, the participation of young people, artists or clubs from other countries in events held in the TRNC did not mean that those countries recognised the TRNC.

He said, for example, that the participation of Greek Cypriot youngsters in an event in Turkey would not mean that Turkey recognised the Greek Cypriot administration.

“If You Want a Political Context, Remember the Calls to End Isolation”

Erhürman said he did not believe the events should be viewed through a political lens.

However, if a political context was to be attached to them, he said, statements made since 2004 by relevant UN, EU and Council of Europe bodies calling for an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots should also be taken into consideration.

“Trust Between Young People Must Come First”

Erhürman stressed that if confidence was to be built on the island, trust between young people from both communities had to be established first.

“That is why, from the very first day we sit at the negotiating table, I have said that we should bring young people, even children, together in joint sporting events,” he said.

“A Diplomatic Victory, Perhaps, But a Defeat for Humanity”

Erhürman criticised efforts to have festivals cancelled and prevent children from playing football, saying such actions could be described as a “diplomatic victory” depending on one’s perspective.

“But when you look at it from a humanitarian perspective, it is clear to me that this is a defeat for all people and for humanity,” he said.