Guterres responds to President Erhürman’s letter

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has responded to a letter from President Tufan Erhürman regarding attempts by the Greek Cypriot side to obstruct cultural, sporting, political and diplomatic activities involving Turkish Cypriots. In his response, Guterres expressed concern that such developments are disheartening and contrary to efforts aimed at strengthening mutual trust.

According to information released by the Presidency, UN Secretary-General Guterres’ letter dated 16 October was a response to a sent by President Tufan Erhürman on 28 August.

Guterres stated that he had taken careful note of concerns regarding developments affecting the cultural, sporting, political and diplomatic activities involving Turkish Cypriots, noting that these are contrary to initiatives aimed at fostering mutual trust.

In his letter, President Erhürman had drawn attention to attempts targeting activities involving Turkish Cypriots; aimed at obstructing cultural and sporting organizations such as music festivals and the FC Barcelona football camp, as well as diplomatic contacts and had conveyed to the UN Secretary-General the negative atmosphere created as a result of these actions.

Referring to his most recent meeting with President Erhürman in New York and his visit to Cyprus in July, Guterres underlined the importance of continued contacts, cooperation and trust-building efforts between the two sides.

Furthermore, Secretary-General Guterres noted that he has emphasized once again to all relevant actors that actions hindering efforts to build trust, including the cancellation of events, recounter to collective efforts.

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