European Commission declines comment on postponed FC Barcelona camp

Brussels, Belgium. The European Commission declined to comment on the postponement of a children’s football camp organised in the occupied north under licence by Spanish football club FC Barcelona.

Commission spokesman Maciej Berestecki reiterated the European Union’s position in support of a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

Commission position

Asked about the camp during a press briefing, Berestecki said: “I will not comment specifically” on the matter.

“What I can say and actually reiterate [is] our line on Cyprus, which is that the EU priority remains unchanged and it is to achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement for all Cypriots,” he said.

He said the EU remains committed to Cyprus’ reunification on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and EU principles, values and legislation.

Berestecki added that the EU is ready to play an active role in the process using all means and tools at its disposal. In that context, he referred to the designation of Raffaele Fitto as the Commission’s special representative for Cyprus.

Government response

Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed on Thursday that the camp had been “postponed”.

The issue had been raised by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman during his meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday, alongside the cancellation of a music festival that had been due to take place in Kyrenia.

Letymbiotis defended coordinated efforts by political and sporting circles to secure the camp’s cancellation. Responding to a question from the Cyprus Mail, he said: “We are doing exactly what an internationally recognised state should do.”

He said the Republic of Cyprus was not exerting pressure on international organisations to cancel events, adding: “It is with diplomacy that we are operating, and what we are doing is to clearly present the real state of affairs.”

Erhurman said last week, regarding the festival, that “Greek Cypriot diplomacy has been conducting a campaign for some time.”