Controversy over Turkish-Cypriot municipality of Nicosia
The description of Mehmet Harmanci as Turkish-Cypriot mayor of Nicosia by the Cyprus Forum led to a controversy that resulted in the forum's withdrawal from its conference. The debate points to the historical problem of separate municipalities, which escalated into the Cyprus problem following intercommunal clashes in December 1963. The dispute touches on fundamental questions regarding the constitutional rights of Turkish Cypriots to independent municipal structures.