European Commission responds to Tufan Erhurman over canceled northern Cyprus events

Turkish Cypriot political leader Tufan Erhurman announced on October 6, 2026, that he received a formal response from the European Commission regarding his complaints about the alleged obstruction of international events in northern Cyprus. On August 28, Erhurman had sent letters to the European Union and the United Nations, protesting the cancellation of a youth football camp organized by FC Barcelona and a music festival in Kyrenia, which he characterized as obstructionist actions by the Greek Cypriot side.

In its reply, the European Commission stated that it has carefully noted the Turkish Cypriot concerns and the potential negative impact of these developments on the ongoing United Nations-led peace process. The commission’s response referenced the recent visit to the island by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasizing the necessity of building trust between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities to foster a positive environment for dialogue.

Erhurman, who serves as the leader of the Republican Turkish Party, argued that these events were targeted to undermine inter-communal trust. While the commission acknowledged the grievances, it reiterated its objective to continue bridging gaps and enhancing communication between both sides of the island. No specific follow-up actions or investigations were announced following this exchange.