Greek Cypriot mission urges diplomats to avoid Turkish Cypriot delegation in New York

In a letter sent to permanent missions and permanent observer missions, it describes Turkish Cypriot representatives seeking meetings as members of a “secessionist entity” promoting “secessionist policies”. Citing UN Security Council resolutions, it asks recipients to refrain from “any contact or meetings” with them.

The request comes during President Tufan Erhürman’s visit to New York for separate talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his personal envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín. The passage of the letter seen by Cyprus Today does not name Erhürman, but its reference to representatives currently seeking meetings in New York points to the Turkish Cypriot delegation. 

The Greek Cypriot side has long opposed contacts it believes could imply recognition of a separate state in the north. The letter’s request, however, covers any contact, while its repeated description of Turkish Cypriot representatives as a “secessionist entity” is likely to deepen offence and mistrust.

There is no indication in the passage of whether any mission acted on the request. Its language nevertheless raises a question for the peace process: how can the two communities build trust when one side urges international representatives not even to meet the other’s delegation?