New york: President Nikos Christodoulides engaged in a significant dialogue with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding EU-Turkey relations following a dinner hosted by the UN Secretary-General at the UN headquarters. The dinner was part of an informal meeting focusing on the Cyprus issue.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed an interest in resolving issues concerning EU relations with Turkey. This dialogue followed a dinner that lasted approximately one hour, during which the UN Secretary-General reaffirmed his commitment to the Cyprus issue and expressed hope for progress on agreed-upon measures from the Geneva meeting last March, along with potential new confidence-building measures.
The discussions between President Christodoulides and Fidan were described as frank, with President Christodoulides advocating for positive developments in EU-Turkey relations, contingent upon progress in Turkey’s obligations related to Cyprus and the Cyprus issue itself. This conversation gains significance as Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the EU in January, allowing it to influence the European Council’s agenda.
Nicosia has been receiving indications of Ankara’s interest in advancing EU-Turkey relations. During the dinner, President Christodoulides expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General Guterres for his dedication and highlighted the importance of steering the process towards negotiations and resolving the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, acknowledging the challenges posed by the electoral process in the occupied territories in October.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, during the meeting, mentioned the ‘isolation of Turkish Cypriots since 1964’ and indicated plans to propose measures for lifting this isolation on Thursday. Following the dinner, President Christodoulides briefed the National Council members and planned a teleconference after the plenary session on Thursday.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution has remained elusive, largely due to Turkish intransigence.