Cyprus Times

Differing Reactions from the Occupied Territories Regarding References to 'Occupation'

Published January 10, 2026, 06:03
Differing Reactions from the Occupied Territories Regarding References to 'Occupation'

There is a divergence in reactions within the occupied territories regarding references to 'occupation', 'invasion', and 'division' during the opening ceremony of the Cypriot Presidency in the EU. The leader of the occupied territories, Tufan Erhurman, reacted more mildly, focusing on the European dimension and distancing himself from Turkey's angry response. Conversely, the self-proclaimed 'prime minister' of the occupied territories, Unal Ustel, followed Ankara's hardline stance, accusing the Greek Cypriot side of 'occupation' since 1963 and attacking the negotiations. This difference is also reflected in the other 'courtiers' of Erdogan in the occupied territories, with Tahsin Ertugruloglu adding the narrative of violations of the human rights of Turkish Cypriots. The Security Services of the Republic of Cyprus assess that the video with the reactions from the occupied territories is part of an organized hybrid operation to harm Cyprus.