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Polish Embassy Clarifies Stance on Disinformation Comments After Diplomatic Incident
The Polish Embassy in Nicosia issued a statement Friday clarifying that it had “no intention to attribute responsibility for disinformation material distributed online to the Turkish state,” following controversial remarks made earlier in the week by an embassy employee during a presentation on disinformation.
The clarification comes after an embassy staff member claimed on Wednesday that “Turkey and the institutions affiliated to the occupied side are conducting disinformation and propaganda campaigns within Cyprus” and “trying to portray the Republic of Cyprus as a state dependent on external powers.”
According to the embassy’s statement, the original presentation was intended to showcase “the activities and achievements of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union” from the first half of 2025, with a portion focused on information security threats.
The embassy explained that the presentation aimed to demonstrate the widespread nature of disinformation as “one of the biggest threats spread through the internet and social media.” Examples of disinformation campaigns currently affecting Poland were presented, with sources “primarily traced to Russia.”
In an attempt to illustrate that disinformation is a global phenomenon, the embassy said it had presented “several examples of false news and graphics distributed through social networks regarding, among other things, the Cyprus problem.”
The timing of the incident is particularly sensitive as Cyprus prepares to undertake the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union beginning next month. The Polish embassy emphasized that its intention was merely to highlight that “disinformation will continue to be a sensitive issue” during Cyprus’s upcoming presidency.
The diplomatic incident underscores the complex political dynamics surrounding Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island in response to a Greek-backed coup. The internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus controls the southern portion of the island, while the northern part is administered by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey.
Disinformation has become an increasingly prominent concern across the European Union, with member states implementing various strategies to combat false information campaigns. The European Commission has intensified efforts to address disinformation through its European Democracy Action Plan and the Digital Services Act, which includes provisions targeting harmful content online.
For Cyprus, which sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, information security takes on added significance due to the island’s longstanding political division and its strategic position in regional politics.
The Polish embassy’s remarks and subsequent clarification reflect the delicate balance diplomatic missions must maintain when addressing sensitive geopolitical issues. The incident also highlights the growing recognition of disinformation as a major security challenge within EU policy circles.
As Cyprus prepares for its Council presidency, managing information integrity will likely be among the many challenges the country faces in its leadership role. The Polish embassy concluded its statement by wishing Cyprus “every success” in its upcoming presidency, attempting to smooth over any diplomatic tensions that may have arisen from the initial comments.
Neither the Cypriot government nor Turkish officials have publicly responded to the Polish embassy’s statement as of reporting time.
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12 Comments
Disinformation is a complex and politically-charged issue, especially between countries. The Polish embassy’s attempt to walk back their initial comments and provide more context is understandable.
Glad to see the Polish embassy addressing this diplomatically and trying to de-escalate the situation. Nuance is important when dealing with accusations of state-backed disinformation.
Allegations of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns are always sensitive. It’s encouraging to see the Polish embassy taking steps to clarify their position and avoid further inflaming tensions.
Diplomacy around disinformation can be tricky. The Polish embassy seems to be trying to find the right balance in their response.
Accusations of disinformation campaigns can create thorny diplomatic situations. The Polish embassy’s clarification suggests they’re trying to handle this delicately and avoid further inflaming tensions.
It’s commendable that the Polish embassy is taking steps to provide more context and clarify their stance on this sensitive issue of alleged disinformation.
Interesting geopolitical tensions around disinformation. Seems like a sensitive diplomatic issue between Poland and Turkey. I’m curious to learn more about the specific allegations and how the Polish embassy is attempting to clarify its stance.
Diplomacy can be tricky when dealing with accusations of disinformation. Glad to see the Polish embassy trying to walk back the initial comments and provide more context.
This highlights how complex the issue of disinformation can be, even between allies. It’s good the Polish embassy is trying to de-escalate the situation and provide more nuance around their original comments.
Navigating these types of diplomatic disputes over disinformation must be challenging. Kudos to the Polish embassy for acknowledging the need for clarification.
Disinformation is a challenging issue, especially when it involves claims about state-sponsored activities. The Polish embassy’s efforts to walk back their initial comments and offer more nuance are prudent.
Diplomatic disputes over disinformation can be tricky to navigate. The Polish embassy’s clarification suggests they’re trying to find the right balance in their response.