The Head of the Eastern Mediterranean University’s Cultural Heritage Research Centre Assistant Professor Bülent Kızılduman said that the Greek Cypriot Administration is trying to prevent foreign scientists from carrying out archaeological work in the TRNC through threats, saying that if they do, they will not be allowed to undertake archaeological excavations in Greece or the Greek Cypriot part of the island.

He noted that despite these threats, 26 scientists and students from Turkey, Germany, Italy and Albania, as well as from the TRNC, took part in the International Kaleburnu King Hill Rescue Excavation Project. However, Kızılduman said, “Due to the threats being made by the Greek Cypriot side, not only are many European scientists prevented from working in the TRNC, but European scientific institutions also can’t obtain funding for projects in the TRNC”