Quiet diplomacy convinces Serbian festival to withdraw from Kyrenia

Politics Cyprus problemserbiaTop News Quiet diplomacy convinces Serbian festival to withdraw from Kyrenia File Kyrenia Harbour At Night Relevant News Cannabis and airgun seized in Limassol drugs raid, four held 21 August 2026 Paphos father leaves 11-year-old daughter home alone to travel abroad 21 August 2026 Quiet diplomacy convinces Serbian festival to withdraw from Kyrenia 21 August 2026 Andreas Bimbishis 21 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Work by Republic of Cyprus diplomacy has paid off in countering actions by the occupation regime, with discreet work carried out throughout this period leading the Serbian company EXIT to cancel its participation in a festival planned in the occupied north. Last Monday, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos held a phone call with his Serbian counterpart, Marko Djuric. In a post on X, Kombos referred to the determination of the two foreign ministers to work towards further strengthening close cooperation between Cyprus and Serbia, noting their conversation focused on “the excellent bilateral relations of the two countries.” Kombos and Djuric discussed the issue Beyond protocol matters, Phileleftheros has learned from competent sources with knowledge of the background that Kombos and Djuric also discussed the issue of the Serbian company EXIT’s participation in the occupation regime’s event in Kyrenia. Alongside the foreign-minister-level discussion, there was also a systematic “discreet diplomatic mobilisation” by the Republic of Cyprus, aimed at preventing an international event in occupied Kyrenia from being instrumentalised. Even more significantly, the same sources said, these contacts have now opened up the prospect of the event itself being moved to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus. From the first moment, the sources explained, the effort focused on highlighting the problematic nature of holding an international event in occupied Kyrenia, given the risk that it could be instrumentalised by the occupation entity. The same sources also pointed to EXIT’s own withdrawal statement, noting that it directly references the outcome of these contacts, which it says helped bring about a much clearer understanding of the historical and political reality in Cyprus and the particular significance of occupied Kyrenia. Diplomacy that pays off Cypriot diplomacy is constantly confronted with similar actions by the occupation regime and by Turkey itself. The EXIT case is an example of what targeted diplomacy can achieve when it operates with persistence, discretion and a specific goal. A year ago, targeted action by Cypriot diplomacy achieved a similar result over the illegal visit, via Tymbou, of British MP Afzal Khan. Following Cypriot diplomacy’s mobilisation, Khan was removed from his position as the UK’s trade envoy. EXIT expresses regret EXIT, the student movement for freedom and peace in the Balkans that evolved into an international music festival, has decided to withdraw the invitation it received for an event in the occupied areas. In a statement addressing the invitation it received for the Nexus music festival in the occupied areas, the company explained that although it knew about the conflict that took place more than fifty years ago and the division of the island that followed, it had not fully grasped how deeply the consequences are still felt today, saying: “we did not fully understand how deeply its consequences are still felt today.” After the event was announced, the company noted, it became clear that the context surrounding the project was more complex and sensitive than initially understood. It said it had listened to the concerns raised, spoken with people holding different views and with institutions in Cyprus, and seriously weighed what its presence could mean beyond the event itself. The company stated that it had come to understand the deep historical and emotional significance of Kyrenia and Kyrenia Castle for the Greek Cypriot community. Although the event had not been scheduled to take place within the castle walls itself but in its immediate vicinity, it added, this did not change the broader context or symbolism of the location. For all these reasons, the company said, it felt sincere and deep regret at having agreed to take part in the project, and wished to inform the Cypriot public that EXIT had decided to withdraw from it. Its intention from the outset had been to bring people together, it added; it did not want an EXIT event to become another reason for people to find themselves on opposing sides. The company concluded that the decision was not directed against any community in Cyprus, nor against the people or cultural scene in any part of the island, and that it hoped for another opportunity to meet under conditions focused on people, music and a shared experience. MEP Fourlas’s statement Following Serbia’s decision to withdraw from the music festival at Kyrenia Castle, MEP Loucas Fourlas welcomed EXIT’s move in a statement. The Cypriot MEP called it “a responsible and correct decision,” which he considered particularly important, adding that he also valued the fact that the company, through its public statement, had recognised the deep historical and emotional significance that Kyrenia and its Castle hold for the Cypriot people, as well as the sensitivities linked to the illegal Turkish occupation. He also welcomed the stance taken by Serbia’s political forces, as well as the reactions expressed by Serbian society and the Serbian people themselves, saying these reactions demonstrate that the friendship ties between Cyprus and Serbia run deep among both peoples and are not confined to the political level. Fourlas noted that from the very first moment, coordinated and substantive action had been taken, both towards Serbia’s political leadership and directly towards the company that had organised the event. He added that he personally, in his capacity as MEP and chair of the delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, had remained in continuous and open communication with all parties involved. His goal was securing EXIT’s withdrawal, which the company ultimately came to understand was necessary given the seriousness of the issue. He stressed that in cases like this there was no room for personal ownership, petty political disputes, or competing for credit. Any rush by some to present themselves as the sole architects of a development that came about through the coordinated efforts of many sides, he said, reflected neither reality nor the seriousness of the matter. The issue, he said, was never who would get the credit, but that the event should not take place in occupied Kyrenia, and that had been achieved. Concluding his statement, the Cypriot MEP of the European People’s Party said Kyrenia was not just any location for a music event, but occupied land of the Republic of Cyprus, and that its Castle forms an integral part of Cyprus’s history and cultural heritage. He thanked everyone who had contributed to the development, in both Cyprus and Serbia, particularly those who understood that culture can only unite peoples when it respects historical memory, international law and their sensitivities. Today’s positive takeaway, he said, was that a Serbian company had listened, understood, and made the right decision, adding that this was a message that strengthens the bonds of friendship between the two peoples. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Cannabis and airgun seized in Limassol drugs raid, four held Paphos father leaves 11-year-old daughter home alone to travel abroad When the centre looks right: Europe’s changing political balance Cavo Greco monastery legalisation battle moves to deviations council No positive sign from Turkish Cypriots before August 26 meeting Larnaca Municipality opens dialogue on new Local Plan Tax crackdown finds 60% of coastal businesses breaking the law Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.