Turkish Cypriot Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu has strongly condemned recent remarks by Greek Cypriot Education Minister Athena Michaelidou, who praised the EOKA organization and promoted its so-called “heroism” and aspirations to reclaim “occupied lands” in the school curriculum.
In a written statement, Çavuşoğlu described Michaelidou’s comments as blatant hate speech, incompatible with the principles of peace, educational integrity, and ongoing reconciliation efforts in Cyprus.
“It is both unacceptable and deeply troubling to glorify a group responsible for the deaths of thousands and known for acts of ethnic cleansing against Turkish Cypriots,” he said.
Calling the rhetoric “dangerous,” Çavuşoğlu warned that politicizing education in such a manner risks fostering hatred among young people and undermines efforts toward peaceful coexistence.
“True peace can only be built on mutual respect, open dialogue, and universal values,” he added.
Emphasizing the need to educate children in the spirit of science, art, peace, and human rights—not enmity—Çavuşoğlu urged the Greek Cypriot Education Ministry to immediately abandon divisive and inflammatory discourse.
