Nicosia: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has made a public call for the Turkish government to engage in discussions with the Republic of Cyprus to establish agreed maritime borders. This statement comes in the wake of recent developments involving Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman, who signed an EEZ delimitation agreement with Lebanon.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides, speaking on Thursday during an event organized by the Cyprus Children’s Parliament, emphasized that the Republic of Cyprus, as a member of both the United Nations and the European Union, is committed to proceeding with agreements based on international law and the principles outlined in the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea.
President Christodoulides expressed the Republic of Cyprus’s willingness to sit down with Turkey to discuss and agree on maritime borders, similar to agreements made with other neighboring states. He challenged the Turkish side to demonstrate confidence in its positions by engaging in dialogue with the Republic of Cyprus.
Regarding the statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman, President Christodoulides chose not to comment on Erhrman’s approach but reiterated the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to resume peace talks from the point they left off in Crans-Montana. He emphasized his willingness to engage in dialogue during Cyprus’ upcoming EU Presidency, starting January 1st, aiming for a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue.
Additionally, President Christodoulides addressed the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to Germany, expressing hope that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with whom he discussed EU-Turkey relations in mid-November, would help facilitate progress. He highlighted the positive response from the Chancellor and anticipated a productive outcome from the Turkish FM’s visit.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 due to Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution remains elusive, with the last negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ending inconclusively.