Nicosia: President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides is set to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman on Monday. This meeting is seen as a significant step towards restarting direct negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou. Antoniou made this statement on Sunday during the national memorial for Efrosini Proestou at the Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Proestou is remembered for her bravery during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. She protected a group of twelve soldiers in her native village, Lapithos, which is now occupied by Turkish troops. Despite being arrested and tortured, she was eventually saved by a Turkish Cypriot officer who recognized her as the woman who had assisted his mother during childbirth. Proestou passed away in 1993.
Antoniou expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting, stating, "If the other side proceeds with the same approach, reasonable expectations for the next step are created." He also highlighted the commitment of the United Nations Secretary-General, who recently met with President Christodoulides, as a motivating factor to intensify efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.
"This is our enduring obligation to Efrosini Proestou and to all the other women and men who stood on the front lines of duty at the call of the homeland," Antoniou emphasized. He praised Proestou as "The Lady of Lapithos," noting her dedication as a woman, mother, and patriot, and reiterated the duty to continue the struggle for the liberation and reunification of Cyprus.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Various rounds of UN-led peace talks have not yet resulted in a resolution, with the last negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ending without a conclusion.