Erhurman criticises efforts to discourage diplomats from attending briefing

Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said efforts by the Republic of Cyprus’ foreign ministry to discourage diplomats from attending a briefing by his undersecretary Mehmet Dana undermined trust between the two sides.

The briefing took place at the Home for Cooperation in Nicosia’s buffer zone on Wednesday morning and was, according to diplomatic sources, “quite well attended”.

Briefing for diplomats

The Republic of Cyprus’ foreign ministry had in recent days telephoned embassies to urge them not to attend Dana’s briefing.

Erhurman, speaking on Ada TV while the event was taking place, said “the world needs to see” the efforts made by the Greek Cypriot side to discourage attendance.

“We did not learn about it from the Cyprus Mail. We also knew what was being done, but it is important that it came out there, because as soon as it comes out there, of course, it gets more traction on the Greek Cypriot side,” he said.

He said the Turkish Cypriot side had not previously raised the matter because people on the Greek Cypriot side might have questioned whether to believe it.

Trust between the sides

Erhurman said Greek Cypriot chief negotiator Menelaos Menelaou had also briefed diplomats following United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to the island last month.

He said he knew which ambassadors had attended Menelaou’s briefing and how many people had participated, adding that attendance could be affected by the August holiday period in diplomatic circles.

“Not everyone went, ultimately. Not everyone could have gone. It is August, as you know. August is generally the holiday month in diplomatic circles, so some will come, some will not,” he said.

Erhurman said it was not a problem for the Turkish Cypriot side who attended Dana’s briefing, but added that it also had a perspective to present on the issue.

International community

He said the Turkish Cypriot side intended to explain its position to the international community, adding that ambassadors already had substantial knowledge of the situation because they listened to both sides.

“The international community saw this, heard it, received the phone calls. I ask, is this behaviour which creates or increases trust?” he said.

Erhurman said he could argue publicly about the matter, but instead asked whether such actions increased trust or damaged it.