**Harmanci Thanks Prountzos for Solidarity Amid Cyprus Forum Controversy**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Mehmet Harmanci, the mayor of the Turkish Cypriot municipality of Nicosia, expressed his gratitude on Friday to Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos for his decision to withdraw from the upcoming Cyprus Forum in solidarity with him. Harmanci emphasized that it was Prountzos' courageous choice that deserved recognition, rather than his own withdrawal from the event.
In a message published in Turkish, Greek, and English, Harmanci referred to Prountzos as his "dear friend" and commended him for his "courage, empathy, solidarity, and commitment to peace." The two mayors were scheduled to jointly present the forum's Peace and Democracy Awards, a role they have fulfilled in previous years. However, both withdrew following a dispute regarding the title used for Harmanci in the forum's program.
Initially, Harmanci was listed as the "mayor of [the] Nicosia Turkish Municipality," but this designation was changed to "leader of the Turkish Cypriot community of Nicosia" after objections were raised by the political party Elam. The party protested Harmanci's participation under the original title, leading to the alteration. Nicolas Kyriakides, the executive president of the Cyprus Forum, stated that the request to change Harmanci's title had come from officials of the Republic of Cyprus.
Despite the title change, Harmanci clarified that the core issue was not the title itself but rather the forum's response to what he termed a "racist and divisive propaganda machine." He noted that he has participated in various joint events, both in the southern part of Cyprus and abroad, using titles such as "leader" or "representative" of the Turkish Cypriot community. His primary focus, he asserted, had always been to foster reconciliation and meaningful cooperation between the two communities on the island.
Harmanci described his decision to withdraw from the forum as difficult and made after careful consideration. He communicated his choice directly to the forum's organizers without making a public announcement. He reiterated that it was Prountzos' decision to withdraw that should be highlighted. "Dear Charalambos, on behalf of all Cypriots who still believe in peace and the reunification of Cyprus, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your courage, empathy, solidarity, and commitment to peace," he stated.
The two mayors had initially aimed to strengthen dialogue, trust, and cooperation between their communities through their joint appearance at the forum. Harmanci remarked that they achieved this goal through their simultaneous withdrawal, stating, "This time, we achieved it by leaving together." He affirmed that regardless of titles or positions, they would continue to stand united against forces that seek to foster hatred and division on either side of the island.
In light of the controversy, several other participants have also announced their withdrawal from the Cyprus Forum. This includes representatives from bicommunal initiatives, such as Meltem Onurkan Samani and journalist Pinar Barut, as well as the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research. Additionally, CTP MP Fikri Toros withdrew, denouncing the change to Harmanci's title as a result of political pressure from Elam as unacceptable. Zeki Celer, leader of the TDP party to which Harmanci belongs, characterized the title change as an intervention in the "institutional will of Turkish Cypriots."
The Cyprus Forum is scheduled to take place in Nicosia from September 28 to 30, 2023. The ongoing developments surrounding the event highlight the complexities of political dynamics in Cyprus and the challenges faced in fostering cooperation and dialogue between the island's communities.