President Tufan Erhürman: We will continue the approach we have put forward in good faith. The adoption of this approach in the same manner in the south will benefit the entire island

President Tufan Erhürman issued a written statement on Tuesday regarding foot-and-mouth disease, noting that since the first day he assumed office, he has called for the technical committees to be visible, to meet regularly, to work in a results-oriented manner, and to consist of relevant individuals from both sides.

In his written statement, President Erhürman stated:

“This will be a somewhat lengthy statement. However, at a time when far more serious problems related to foot-and-mouth disease are being experienced in the south than those we have faced, I believe it is important that both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are informed about the work and effectiveness of the technical committees.

The Sub-Committee on Veterinary Affairs, established under the Technical Committee on Health, convened in November, immediately after the presidential elections, following the emergence of the foot-and-mouth issue.

Since that day, the Sub-Committee has met four times and is continuing its work.

This sub-committee has an interesting background. The Sub-Committee on Veterinary Affairs first met in April 2024, when the issue before it was the possibility of domestic cats and dogs from both sides crossing through the crossing points with their owners.

The legislation governing the entry and health of cats and dogs is the same in both the south and the north. Accordingly, in November 2024, the sub-committee reached agreement on a four-point text to facilitate such crossings. However, when this agreement was elevated beyond the technical level, it was somehow stalled by authorities in the south, who raised EU law considerations. This occurred despite EU officials having indicated that they would not create any obstacles if both sides reached an agreement.

In this context, the Sub-Committee on Veterinary Affairs held its last meeting before the January 2025 presidential elections and did not reconvene until November 2025, immediately after the elections, when the Greek Cypriot side called a meeting regarding the ‘foot-and-mouth disease in the north.’

From the very moment foot-and-mouth disease was detected on our side, we shared all relevant information in real time with the EU, the UN, and the authorities in the south. Naturally, we welcomed the request for a meeting within the context of the sub-committee and since then, it has continued to meet regularly. Moreover, whereas prior to the foot-and-mouth issue there had been no relevant officials from the southern side, the emergence of the issue led to their participation at the administrative level in these meetings.

I am aware that this statement is lengthy, however, it is essential that this matter be understood with this level of clarity and detail, both in the north and the south, and, if necessary, be subject to discussion.

From the very first day I assumed office, I have consistently emphasised at every level the need for the technical committees to be visible, to meet regularly, to operate in a results-oriented manner, and to include relevant officials from both sides. 

When the foot-and-mouth issue emerged, we immediately shared information transparently, without concealing anything. As soon as the need for vaccines arose in the south, we immediately ensured the necessary coordination and delivered the vaccines. Our expectation is that the same approach will also be adopted by the south -- that the committees be composed of relevant officials, that regular information-sharing be ensured, that work be results-oriented, and that daily issues be resolved free from political considerations.

This should apply not only to foot-and-mouth, but to all issues. This island is very small, and diseases and shared problems do not recognise borders. As also stated in the reports of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres, opportunities for cooperation must not be suffocated by political considerations.

We will continue, in good faith, the approach we put forward immediately after the presidential elections. The adoption of this approach in the same manner in the south will be to the benefit of the entire island, both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.”