Nicosia: A new meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman is set to occur on May 8 at the residence of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus, as announced by Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis during a media briefing at the Presidential Palace.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Letymbiotis emphasized that the regular meetings between President Christodoulides and the Turkish Cypriot leader are pivotal in maintaining open and honest communication channels. These interactions aim to gradually establish conditions conducive to the resumption of substantive negotiations. Letymbiotis highlighted that each contact should have a clear orientation and purpose, and every Confidence Building Measure should contribute to the overarching goal of returning to meaningful negotiations with tangible results.
In this ongoing effort, President Christodoulides has been proactive in putting forward constructive proposals to foster a positive climate for negotiations. Letymbiotis underscored the importance of this initiative, especially since the UN Secretary-General has expressed a desire for progress on the Cyprus issue by the end of his term in 2026. The spokesperson highlighted the necessity of exploiting this opportunity fully.
Letymbiotis reminded that the UN Secretary-General's initiative began after a meeting with President Christodoulides in Brussels last March. The Secretary-General's political will and personal commitment are crucial, particularly in the current geopolitical environment. However, transforming this intention into a concrete initiative requires sincere responses from all involved parties.
The Republic of Cyprus views the UN's role as essential, and the active involvement of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy is vital for creating conditions conducive to a productive negotiation process. Letymbiotis stressed that time, if not utilized for progress, could undermine the prospect of a solution. For the President of the Republic, resolving the Cyprus issue remains the highest national priority, with the objective of resuming substantive negotiations within the United Nations framework.
Addressing questions about the conditions for the upcoming meeting, Letymbiotis acknowledged ongoing buffer zone violations and unconstructive statements from Turkish officials, which do not aid in creating the desired atmosphere. However, he emphasized the importance of continuous contact to achieve progress through dialogue and presenting differing approaches.
Letymbiotis confirmed that while recent incidents and public statements have not been helpful, the commitment to the negotiation process remains steadfast. In response to inquiries about the meeting's format, he noted that it would involve both leaders, similar to previous meetings.
Regarding the issue of recording convergences, Letymbiotis mentioned that President Christodoulides submitted several proposals, discussed with the Turkish Cypriot leader and in the presence of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy. These proposals could effectively contribute to progress if approached constructively by all parties.
A continuation of discussions from previous meetings is expected on May 8. While additional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) might not be the sole focus, their implementation plays a crucial role in resuming talks. Letymbiotis recalled that CBMs were agreed upon in past meetings, and new proposals, such as opening pedestrian crossing points, could send positive signals for progress.
Letymbiotis reiterated that the UN Secretary General's initiative focuses on the essence of the Cyprus problem, which has always been the goal. He addressed statements from the Turkish Foreign Minister about Cyprus's EU role, emphasizing that Cyprus is an integral part of Europe. The EU supports Cyprus, as evidenced by recent EU institutional positions and support from EU member states.
Finally, Letymbiotis pointed to Turkey's obligations as an EU member state, particularly regarding the Cyprus issue. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 due to Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third, and previous UN-led peace talks have not succeeded due to Turkish intransigence. The spokesperson concluded by urging Turkey to consider its responsibilities and obligations, including resolving the Cyprus problem.