Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides stressed the role that leaders of European institutions and member states he met in Brussels can play in promoting his proposal for an enhanced involvement of the EU, initially in the efforts to restart negotiations and – during a later stage – the linking of any progress in the Cyprus Problem with EU – Turkish relations, speaking during a press conference following the conclusion of his participation in the summit of the European Council in Brussels.
Christodoulides referred to his meetings with the Presidents of the three EU institutions, his conversation with the UN Secretary General and to his participation at the EPP summit, and added that early on Friday he briefed the heads of states of the Member States during the summit, as well as to specific heads of state bilaterally, who he said believes ‘can play an important role in promoting this proposal.”
On Thursday, Christodoulides met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and on Friday had conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. During the press conference, Christodoulides also noted that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to visit Cyprus over the next period.
“We all know that there are some member states of the European Union that over time have shown a special sensitivity towards Turkey and have had excellent relations over time, better relations than some other member states. And since they have a positive view of our approach, I believe that they should be used in this direction,” Christodoulides noted.
Regarding the meeting with the UN Secretary General during the working lunch with the heads of state on Thursday, Christodoulides noted that Antonio Guterres had a meeting with Charles Michel and the Cyprus problem was also discussed.
Responding to a question, Christodoulides added that Guterres and Michel discussed the EU’s potential more active engagement “as a positive element in the effort to break the deadlock and to move forward.”
Christodoulides also estimated that there will be a visit to Cyprus by a UN official before the elections in Turkey, and added that he will have more specific conversations with his interlocutors “on how to translate our proposal into action so that it can be manifested immediately after the elections”.
“The time until the elections in Turkey is not wasted, it is crucial to prepare the ground,” he added.
“What we have agreed, especially with the Presidents of the Commission and the Council, but also with some heads of state who have a special relationship with Turkey or are more interested in the Cyprus problem, is that we will be in contact in the near future to see how this proposal is being promoted,” he said.
With regards to the objective of appointing an EU envoy, “if and when this objective is achieved, it will be after the elections” in Turkey, he added.
Christodoulides confirmed that he used the non-paper that has been prepared with ideas on the Cyprus problem, but that he did not give to his interlocutors, but used it as a basis to develop his arguments.
He underlined that he does not seek to replace the UN with the EU and that he conveyed this to his interlocutors. “What we are seeking is for the European Union to be supportive of the UN’s efforts,” he stressed, noting that the UN framework is our “safety net” against attempts by the other side to distort the objective for a solution within the known parameters.
The EU, he continued, “has all those incentives, it has the toolbox that can lead to what we are seeking”, namely the end of the deadlock, which he said corresponds to “the political dimension of the engagement we are seeking” from the EU. Technical support from the EU will follow when and if negotiations start, as was the case during the last negotiating process he added.
Commenting on the procedural aspects of the possible appointment of an EU envoy, Christodoulides said that “we are in the preparatory stage’ and that once there is a conclusion on this ‘it will be translated either into a concrete decision or into European Council conclusions.”
Such en envoy, he said, should be “a political personality, hailing from a member state of the European Union and this should not be the first time dealing with the Cyprus problem or with EU-Turkish relations”.
Responding to a question by CNA on how a negotiation process can be linked to EU – Turkey relations, and how Varosha fits into this context, Christodoulides said that this is a process “which is linked to the resumption of the Cyprus talks, but also to progress in the negotiations, because no one wants negotiations for the sake of negotiations.” Progress in the negotiations, he continued, “is linked to the development of other positive developments” on issues in which the European Union “can contribute with the agreement of the Republic of Cyprus.”
“Certainly the Famagusta issue fits in this context. I gave some examples after being asked by my interlocutors to talk specifically’ he said, adding that the document he has prepared includes specific examples of issues where there can be steps towards a ‘mutually beneficial situation.”
Responding to a comment that it is necessary for this proposal to be acceptable by both Turkey and the United Kingdom as a guarantor power, Christodoulides stressed that “certainly our goal is not just to secure a decision that cannot be implemented”, and that “this is what we will try to do throughout this period until the elections.”
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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency