Nicosia: President Nikos Christodoulides described the inclusion of an EU reference in the United Nations Secretary-General's (UNSG) good offices report as particularly significant. The report, which was circulated on Monday by the UN, emphasized the involvement of the European Union in ongoing Cyprus negotiations. The President, in a statement to the press on Tuesday, confirmed his communication with the European Commission (EC) and Council Heads ahead of their meeting with the Turkish President in Ankara during the NATO summit.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides stated that there is no pressing timeline concerning the reports and the reference for both leaders to seize the opportunity. He noted that developments are sought as soon as possible, even by tomorrow. The President reiterated that the current momentum is a result of their own strategic actions. He recalled that his emphasis on the EU's role in the Cyprus problem faced criticism before his presidency, yet now it is yielding tangible results, evidenced by the presence of several European leaders in Turkey for the NATO summit.
President Christodoulides expressed his ongoing communication with the President of the Commission regarding the discussions taking place, expressing hope for positive outcomes. Addressing questions about the upcoming dinner between the President of the Commission, the President of the Council, and the Turkish President, he refrained from predicting the outcome. However, he emphasized the consistent strategy to link EU-Turkey relations with positive developments in the Cyprus issue.
He further highlighted the importance of the behavior and attitudes of the Turkish President, the President of the Commission, and the President of the European Council, noting that he remains in frequent contact with the President of the Commission, exchanging specific messages and planning further discussions.
Responding to inquiries about the UNSG report's mention of Greek Cypriots shooting UN soldiers, President Christodoulides criticized the UN's balanced approach, which often results in negative portrayals of both sides. He underscored the ongoing mobility in the Cyprus issue, attributing it to persistent efforts, with hopes for positive developments.
When questioned about potential contradictions in the report regarding Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and negotiations, the President clarified that current discussions are not focused on CBMs. Rather, the emphasis remains on the core issues of the Cyprus problem, as guided by the UN Secretary-General's directives.
Cyprus has been divided since Turkey's invasion in 1974, with numerous UN-led peace efforts failing to resolve the conflict due to Turkish intransigence. The last round of negotiations in 2017 at Crans-Montana ended without agreement. Following informal meetings in 2025 and a brief hiatus, plans for a broader format meeting are underway as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term concludes. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, continues to engage with the involved parties.