Nicosia: ?he goal is for the next meeting on Cyprus, with the participation of the guarantor powers, to be convened as soon as possible so that another decisive step can be taken toward the resumption of negotiations, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Friday after a National Council meeting at the Presidential Palace.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Letymbiotis noted that there had been 'a very constructive and substantive exchange of views on what took place yesterday, but even more so on our next steps toward achieving the goal, which is none other than the resumption of negotiations from the point they left off.'
In statements to journalists following the National Council meeting, the Spokesperson said that President Nikos Christodoulides briefed the political leadership on Thursday's joint meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Maria Holguin, as well as on his meeting with the EU's Special Envoy, Johannes Hahn, and on the outcome of the 'very important meeting' which resulted in the UN announcement issued yesterday. Referring to the announcement, Letymbiotis noted that it 'contained a very significant reference to the UN Security Council resolutions, a reference that had been absent since October 2020.' He added that all members of the National Council welcomed this 'as they recognise both its significance and its value' and the restoration of the shielding provided by international law.
According to the Spokesperson, President Christodoulides also informed the National Council members about the contacts Holgun, is scheduled to have in the coming period. He noted that Holgun is currently in Athens for meetings with the country's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, before travelling to Ankara for a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister.
Letymbiotis added that similar contacts had been made and will continue to be carried out by the EU's Special Envoy for Cyprus, Hahn, in an effort 'to activate the EU's contribution to the initiative of the UN Secretary-General.'
'Our objective, is for the next meeting in a broader format, with the participation of the guarantor powers, to be convened as soon as possible, so that a substantive discussion can take place and another decisive step, the major decisive step, can be made toward the resumption of negotiations, always within the agreed framework as defined in all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles, values, acquis, and legislation of the European Union,' Letymbiotis said.
Responding to a journalist's comment about statements by Erhrman suggesting that the reference to political equality in yesterday's joint announcement does not imply a renunciation of the position on two constituent states, the Spokesperson said that 'the definition of political equality by the UN Security Council dates back to 1991 and is clear.'
Beyond that, he added, 'we consider yesterday's reference to the UN Security Council resolutions to be very positive, and this is reflected also in the positions of the National Council members.' Noting 'we have no intention of entering into a public debate', he said 'we must bear in mind that it is neither possible nor logical to selectively or partially choose or interpret the UN Security Council resolutions or international law.'
'We believe that this is neither a neutral nor an empty reference. It is a reference based on the historical and political continuity of the Cyprus issue, and we welcome it,' he said, adding that it represents 'a commitment to international law which we seek, which we consider a shield, a compass, and the only path toward the resumption of negotiations and ultimately the solution of the Cyprus problem.'
This restoration of the Cyprus issue within the parameters of international law, he added, 'is what can lead our country to reunification'.
The Spokesman also highlighted the importance of the prospect given yesterday by Hahn through the European dimension of the Cyprus issue, "a European dimension that is self-evident and lies at the core of the discussions we will be having in the coming period.'
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format is expected later this year.
Mara Angela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties, while former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, designated by the Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, is also expected to contribute to the settlement process, in cooperation with Holgun.