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Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel condemned a far-right Greek Cypriot party's attempts to block a youth football training camp planned by Spanish club Barcelona in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The TRNC, located on the northern part of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, is recognized only by Türkiye and remains at the center of a decades-long division between Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities.
Barcelona announced on its official website that the training camp for young players is scheduled for Sept. 11 in the TRNC.
The far-right National Popular Front, known as ELAM, called on the Greek Cypriot administration's Foreign Ministry to pressure Spain to prevent the camp.
In a written statement, Ustel condemned ELAM's efforts, which also targeted the Zamna Music Festival, another event planned to be held in the TRNC.
He said the initiatives revealed the "true intentions" of certain circles in the Greek Cypriot administration that are disturbed by Turkish Cypriots establishing contact with the world, participating in international events and promoting their culture and art globally.
"There is no longer a society before them that they expect to remain isolated," Ustel said. "There is a Turkish Cypriot people who embrace their state, look to the future with confidence and have the determination to strengthen their ties with the world."
Ustel said the obstruction efforts reflected what he described as the unchanged attitude of Greek Cypriot politics toward the Turkish Cypriot people.
"We did not submit to this mentality yesterday, and we will not submit to it today," he said.
"Turkish Cypriot youth will meet young people from all over the world, take part in sports, and share their art and culture. Our state will continue to pave the way for our people's determination in this direction," Ustel added.
Ustel recalled that the Nexus Festival, expected to be held in the TRNC, was canceled after pressure from the Greek Cypriot side.
Serbian music organization EXIT, which had previously announced its participation in the September festival near Kyrenia Castle, was forced to withdraw, Turkish Cypriot officials said.
The withdrawal was reportedly influenced by diplomatic initiatives the Greek Cypriot administration undertook with the Serbian government following pressure from ELAM.
ELAM has also called for diplomatic pressure on the home countries of artists expected to participate in the Zamna Music Festival to prevent international attendance.
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