Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Sunday that they are focusing on preparing the informal multilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue, adding that the goal is not just to have such a conference that will lead to a negative result.
Christodoulides noted in statements that he considers as particularly important such an informal multilateral meeting aimed at the resumption of the negotiations.
He reiterated that “we know our goals, we know which our red lines are’ and that there can be no discussion on a solution outside the established framework. Moreover, he noted that he is ready and expects for his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, to take place the soonest possible, in Nicosia.
Referring to his recent informal meeting with Tatar in New York, at the invitation of the UN Secretary – General, Antonio Guterres, Christodoulides described it as a significant first step, highlighting that Tatar had previously refused even social meetings. The President expressed the government’s rea
diness to continue its efforts toward a solution within the established framework, backed by international and European support.
President Christodoulides mentioned that although the informal meeting had two key outcomes, he wished for more progress, which the government had pursued. However, he said that the Turkish Cypriot leader’s stance was negative. The President added that current government efforts focus on two main areas, as outlined in his recent letter to the UN Secretary-General, and supported by Cyprus’s diplomatic mission in New York and the negotiator in Nicosia.
The primary focus, he said, is on preparing properly for the multilateral meeting to ensure it yields results.
“Our aim is not merely to hold an informal multilateral meeting that leads to a negative result. This is not our goal, nor do we approach the Cyprus issue in a way that would produce an unproductive outcome,” he added.
The second area of focus concerns a forthcoming meeting in Nicosia between President Christodoulides and T
atar, with the former reiterating his readiness to discuss well-known issues, such as the opening of specific crossing points. Christodoulides noted that he expects this meeting to take place as soon as possible.
The President underlined that the government’s clear political will, demonstrated through specific actions rather than words, was important in getting this process started. He noted that despite the Turkish Cypriot side’s rejection of a UN Special Envoy, Nicosia had collaborated with the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, while it introduced 14 unilateral measures for the Turkish Cypriots and made strategic moves at the EU level.
He further noted the significant international interest in the Cyprus issue, beyond the UN Secretary-General, also involving the European Union and permanent members of the UN Security Council. Specifically, he mentioned the EU’s critical role as it possesses the tools to facilitate a mutually beneficial situation.
‘We have a clear plan and
a specific strategy that we have been implementing from day one. Gradually, it is yielding results. I neither underestimate nor overlook the challenges, but I can say with certainty that we know where we want to go, we know our goals, we know which our red lines are,’ Christodoulides stated.
He stressed that there can be no discussion on a solution outside the established framework, and he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursue positive outcomes, saying, that “it is our homeland which is under occupation, and we will do everything possible for this.”
Asked about when the multilateral meeting is expected to take place, the President said that while no specific date had been set, preparatory work is progressing to achieve a positive outcome.
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 inconcl
usively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency