Cyprus Visit To Kazakhstan Sparks Dispute In Greek And Turkish Media

The recent visit of the president of Cyprus to Kazakhstan has sparked mutual speculation in Greek-Cypriot and Turkish media, Orda.kz reports.

At the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan respects the UN Charter, the principles of international law, and the territorial integrity of states. After that, Greek-Cypriot media began reporting that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had allegedly canceled a planned visit to Astana because of dissatisfaction over the Cypriot delegation’s contacts with Kazakh authorities.

According to available information, Hakan Fidan, the head of Turkish diplomacy, who had planned to visit Astana, canceled this visit, apparently concerned and dissatisfied with the contacts of the Cypriot delegation,ANT1 reported.

Turkey denies this version. Türkiye Today, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Fidan’s trip to Kazakhstan was not on his upcoming schedule at all, meaning it could not have been canceled. According to the publication’s sources, reports of a “diplomatic crisis” between Astana and Ankara are being spread by those trying to create tension between the two countries.

The Greek-Turkish dispute is rooted in long-standing disagreements, with the Cyprus issue remaining one of the most sensitive topics. Since 1974, the island has effectively been divided into two parts. The south is controlled by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus, where most of the population are Greek Cypriots. The north, mainly inhabited by Turkish Cypriots, is controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration, which is recognized only by Ankara.

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