Budapest: President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides stated that his message to the Turkish President was clear regarding the resolution of the Cyprus issue during their meeting at the European Political Community Summit in Hungary.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President emphasized that the resolution of the Cyprus issue should be based on the agreed framework. During his interactions with various foreign leaders, including the Turkish President and Foreign Minister, Christodoulides reiterated Cyprus’s willingness to aid in strengthening EU-Turkish relations alongside achieving substantial progress on the Cyprus issue under the agreed terms.
He noted that while the Turkish President discussed various challenges facing Turkey and expressed a desire to strengthen ties with the EU and European organizations, he did not address the Cyprus issue. Christodoulides conveyed that resolving the Cyprus problem is essential for Turkey’s closer relations with the EU, emphasizing that dialogue shou
ld not be feared.
The President underscored the importance of resuming substantive negotiations based on UN Security Council resolutions and the agreed framework. He expressed confidence that other European leaders would also communicate this stance to the Turkish President, especially during his meetings with the President of the European Commission and the French President.
Christodoulides also mentioned his bilateral meeting with the President of Switzerland, highlighting Switzerland’s historical role in hosting Cyprus talks. The Swiss President confirmed Switzerland’s readiness to host further discussions if required by the UN Secretary-General.
The Summit in Budapest provided a platform for 47 European states to discuss immigration and economic development. Christodoulides stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of immigration and welcomed discussions on Syria, aiming to create conditions for the return of Syrian refugees.
He also touched on the significance of strengthening Transatlant
ic Cooperation, particularly in light of the upcoming US elections, and noted Cyprus’s proactive approach in fostering relations with the new US administration.
Cyprus remains divided since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace negotiations, a resolution has not yet been achieved, with the last round of talks in 2017 ending without conclusion.