European Commission sidesteps question on Barcelona camp in north

**European Commission Declines to Comment on Cancellation of FC Barcelona Youth Camp in Northern Cyprus**

*Larnaca, Cyprus – 28 August 2026* – The European Commission did not provide a specific response to inquiries about the cancellation of a children’s football camp organized under licence by FC Barcelona in the Turkish‑controlled northern part of Cyprus.

During a press briefing, Commission spokesperson Maciej Berestecki said he would not comment on the matter directly. He reiterated the EU’s overall position on the Cyprus issue, stating that the Union’s priority remains “to achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement for all Cypriots.” Berestecki added that the EU is “firmly committed to the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal and bicommunal federation in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles, values and legislation of the EU.” He noted that the Commission has appointed Raffaele Fitto as its special representative for Cyprus and that the EU is prepared to use “all means and tools at our disposal” to support the process.

The Cypriot government confirmed on Thursday that the camp had been postponed. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the decision reflected “what an internationally recognised state should do” and emphasized that the Republic of Cyprus was not exerting pressure on international organisations. He described the approach as diplomatic, aimed at “clearly presenting the real state of affairs.”

Turkish Cypriot officials expressed disappointment with the cancellation. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, who raised the issue alongside the cancellation of a planned music festival in Kyrenia, accused Greek‑Cypriot authorities of a “campaign” that seeks to “lift or ease the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots,” thereby reducing their incentive for a settlement. Erhurman said he does not want any Turkish‑Cypriot or Greek‑Cypriot youth to be deprived of opportunities available to young people elsewhere because of the Cyprus dispute.

Unal Ustel, who leads the Turkish Cypriot administration, characterised the camp’s cancellation as “a new and extremely striking example of the Greek Cypriot administration’s intolerance towards the Turkish Cypriot people.” He argued that the event, which would have allowed Turkish Cypriot children to meet the academy of a world‑renowned football club, was not a political activity and that preventing it undermines confidence‑building efforts.

The cancellation follows earlier tensions surrounding a music festival that was also called off after objections from Turkish Cypriot authorities. Both incidents have been cited by Turkish Cypriot leaders as setbacks to confidence‑building measures and broader reconciliation efforts on the divided island.

Article and image source: cyprus-mail.com