Turkish opposition figure criticises Cyprus designation at Istanbul geography olympiad

Istanbul, Turkey. Iyi Party deputy leader Ayyuce Turkes Tas criticised the presentation of a Greek Cypriot delegation as the Republic of Cyprus during the International Geography Olympiad in Istanbul, calling it unacceptable.

She questioned why Turkish Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Enes Eminoglu did not intervene during the ceremony and said the matter could not be dismissed as a protocol error.

Opposition criticism

Turkes Tas said students from the Greek Cypriot administration of southern Cyprus were announced as the Republic of Cyprus and that its flag was raised on stage during a ceremony attended by Eminoglu, who also presented awards.

She asked how an entity not recognised by Turkey could be presented as the Republic of Cyprus in Istanbul.

Turkes Tas also questioned whether Turkey’s official Cyprus policy and the rights of the TRNC were being protected.

“The Turkish Cypriots cannot be ignored. The TRNC cannot be ignored. Turkey’s national cause on Cyprus cannot be abandoned to such irresponsibility,” she said, calling for those responsible to be identified and action to be taken.

Greek Cypriot delegation

A four-member Greek Cypriot delegation travelled to Istanbul for the International Geography Olympiad and won two bronze medals.

Marina Malli and Thanos Hadjikyriakos both stood on the podium. Malli said she was happy personally and that the delegation had represented Cyprus worthily.

Eminoglu has not commented on the matter since the opening ceremony.

Turkes Tas

Turkes Tas is one of the deputy leaders of the opposition Iyi Party. Her father, former Turkish deputy prime minister Alparslan Turkes, was a Cypriot.