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Erhurman: Proposal for a bi-communal technical committee on halloumi

Published March 14, 2026, 14:06
Erhurman: Proposal for a bi-communal technical committee on halloumi

Turkish Cypriot politician Tufan Erhurman proposed the establishment of a bi-communal technical committee on the issue of halloumi, expressing the willingness of the Turkish Cypriot side to cooperate in the fields of agriculture and livestock. This proposal comes at a time of increased concern regarding the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and the need for controls in the occupied territories, in order to complete the process of registering Cypriot cheese. Mr. Erhurman emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot community has carried out timely and rapid vaccinations to combat foot-and-mouth disease, also offering vaccines to the free areas when needed. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side wishes to be subject to checks and calls on the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to sign the necessary agreements to start the checks. Furthermore, Mr. Erhurman reiterated that the initial proposal for the establishment of the bi-communal technical committee came from the Turkish Cypriot side, emphasizing the need for a joint approach to similar risks in the agricultural sector and expressing his openness to any form of cooperation. Finally, Mr. Erhurman accused the Greek Cypriot side of using the Turkish Cypriot side as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility and called on the Government to focus on finding solutions for the benefit of the entire island.