GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN Stefanos Stefanou yesterday defended the government’s decision to hire a Turkish Cypriot at Cyprus’ permanent representation in Brussels, citing “political reasons”.
The spokesman was put in the rather unusual position of having to explain why a Turkish Cypriot holding a degree from a university in the north was hired for the purposes of Cyprus’ EU Presidency following an article in yesterday’s Phileleftheros.
The popular Greek Cypriot daily ran an article on its front page, saying “serious questions were raised by the conditions under which a Turkish Cypriot was hired for the Cyprus Presidency”, highlighting that the person in question graduated from a university in the breakaway regime.
The report, which resembled more an opinion piece, claimed the man was hired using “express” procedures, without elaborating further.
It noted that he also holds a masters degree from a British university, and questioned how a British university could accept a student with a degree from a university in the north.
The article questioned whether the Cypriot official’s degree in hotel management was at all relevant to the EU Presidency, concluding: “The Turkish Cypriot’s employment with a degree from the pseudostate undermines the policy followed all these years by the Cyprus Republic regarding the illegal universities in the occupied areas”.
Asked to comment on the report, Stefanou felt compelled to respond to the points raised in Phileleftheros, noting that the Republic does not recognise the universities in the north. “One cannot ignore the fact that he holds a masters from a British university,” he added.
He argued all normal procedures were followed correctly.
“There is the technocratic aspect of the issue, but also the political aspect on which we must all conclude. Because lately there is much talk about electricity, the Green Line Regulation and other issues. We should all first reach a conclusion on what it is we all want politically,” he said.
“The government’s position is very clear: we need to show in a variety of ways both abroad, especially the EU, and to the Turkish Cypriots that the Cyprus Republic takes care of everyone and has a place for everyone.”
He added: “If some, through various positions, want to close the checkpoints, build a wall between the free areas and the occupied areas and deliver once and for all the Turkish Cypriots to Turkey, especially those who are against the occupation, like in this specific case, then let’s decide this.”