TRNC Leaders Criticize EU Parliament Chief Over EOKA Remarks
Strong Reaction from Turkish Cypriot Leadership
Leaders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have strongly criticized comments made by the President of the European Parliament regarding the Greek Cypriot group EOKA.
President Tufan Erhurman condemned remarks by Roberta Metsola, who marked the anniversary of EOKA’s founding with what he described as “enthusiasm.” He questioned whether she understood the impact of the group’s actions on Turkish Cypriots.
Concerns Over Trust and Fairness
Erhurman emphasized that statements like these damage trust between communities on Cyprus. He added that international officials who support a resolution on the island must act with greater sensitivity toward both sides.
Furthermore, he criticized comments by Ursula von der Leyen, who referred to technological progress in the context of Byzantine heritage. Erhurman argued that such remarks overlook the diverse identity of the island.
Prime Minister Calls Remarks a Scandal
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Unal Ustel described Metsola’s comments as a “clear scandal.” He stressed that praising EOKA ignores the suffering of Turkish Cypriots and distorts historical realities.
Ustel also stated that glorifying violence under the label of heroism disrespects victims and risks legitimizing past atrocities. He warned that such narratives remain unacceptable to the Turkish Cypriot community.
Background on EOKA
The group EOKA was founded in 1955 by Georgios Grivas with political backing from Makarios III. Its goal was to end British rule on Cyprus and unite the island with Greece.
However, EOKA carried out attacks during the 1950s that targeted civilians, including Turkish Cypriots. After the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the group continued violent activities, also targeting Greek Cypriots who opposed its views.
Ongoing Tensions Over Historical Narratives
The controversy began after Metsola described EOKA’s actions as “heroic” in a message marking the April 1 anniversary of its founding. Her remarks have since sparked criticism from TRNC leaders, who argue that such statements ignore historical suffering and complicate efforts toward reconciliation.
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