President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, said that the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue depends solely on the Turkish side and that was made clear during his meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres in New York that took place on September 23.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), just before his departure from New York, the President pointed out that both the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the five permanent members of the Security Council, with the permanent representative of which he had a working lunch in New York, share the same approach with Nicosia, that “there is no question of resuming talks or resolving the Cyprus issue outside the framework determined by the Security Council’s resolutions.”
President Christodoulides also said that they were now expecting to be informed by the UN about the other side’s response to the UN Secretary-General’s invitation for a potential meeting in October. “We hope that
this meeting will take place,” he added.
Moreover, he reiterated that he will do his utmost to achieve a Cyprus settlement, pointing out that “with the required political will, we can reunite our country and reach a mutually beneficial situation not only for Cyprus, and the Greek-Turkish issues but also for the wider region.”
Regarding the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection project, President Christodoulides the discussions that took place on this issue have been decisive in clarifying certain points and establishing a concrete roadmap for future steps.
Speaking about Cyprus-U.S. relations, the President highlighted that they were at an all-time high, noting the initiation of a Strategic Dialogue between the two countries.
“This framework, which the U.S. has established with only a few countries-most of them NATO members-is of strategic significance and demonstrates the level of bilateral relations. These relations are now formalized through the Strategic Dialogue,” he noted.
President Christodoul
ides also revealed that he would be visiting the U.S. in April for meetings focused on attracting investments and for participating in an investment forum focusing on shipping.
On the subject of the humanitarian sea corridor from Cyprus to Gaza, the President noted that “Cyprus has proven that it is not part of the problem but part of the solution and can contribute decisively to promoting peace and security in a region of strategic importance.” He added that this development also impacts efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, not only by highlighting Cyprus’s role but also by reinforcing it in the event of a potential solution.
Nicosia awaits for Turkish Cypriot side’s response for a meeting
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President Christodoulides welcomed the commitment of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to restarting substantial negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the agreed framework. He noted that Nicosia is waiting for an update by the UN on
the Turkish Cypriot side’s response to a proposed meeting in October.
“Our commitment is clear, and it’s demonstrated through concrete actions, not just statements. This includes issues related to EU-Turkey relations, unilateral measures from the Republic of Cyprus to benefit our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, and our readiness to resume negotiations immediately,” he said.
The President emphasized that the responsibility for the resumption of negotiations lies exclusively with the Turkish side and this was made clear during his meeting with the Secretary – General. He also reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side had responded positively to every proposed meeting date.
During the lunch with the UN Security Council’s permanent members representatives, it was confirmed that despite their differences on various global issues, they share a unified approach as regards the desired form of a Cyprus settlement, he noted. “We are now waiting to be informed by the UN about the Turkish side’s response on the possibility
of a meeting in October, which we hope will take place,” he added.
Key discussions on Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project
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When asked about his meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and representatives from the UAE’s state energy company (TAQA) regarding the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project, President Christodoulides said that the discussions that have taken place were crucial in clarifying various points and developing a clear roadmap for the next steps, including Cyprus’ potential involvement in the company’s share capital.
He explained that he had specifically visited the UAE to discuss the project with the country’s President, focusing on the possibility of joint participation. In New York, he also met with the CEO of UAE’s TAQA Transmission to finalize the necessary steps for implementing the political decisions, he noted. He added that a technocratic meeting was scheduled for the coming days to ad
vance joint participation in the project between the two countries.
Additionally, he said that the trilateral meeting held on September 24 with the French President and the Greek Prime Minister took place in this framework. Christodoulides pointed out that a French company was involved in the project and that the project also aligns with France’s broader plans for the Eastern Mediterranean. The French government’s interest, he noted, does not exist solely due to the French company’s involvement but also in the framework of France’s regional strategy.
The President said that the meeting with Macron and the Greek Prime Minister was an opportunity to exchange concrete views on actions needed to move the project forward.
Cyprus-U.S. relations at their peak with strong investment opportunities
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‘Without any exaggeration, and referring to statements made by U.S. officials, Cyprus-U.S. relations are currently at their highest level, more advanced tha
n ever before,’ President Christodoulides said when asked bout Cyprus-U.S. ties. He noted that the Republic of Cyprus was recognised as a reliable partner and a stabilising force in the region, thanks to a coherent and consistent policy supported by tangible actions, not just words.
‘The launch of the Strategic Dialogue between Cyprus and the U.S., a framework that the U.S. has only established with a few countries-most of which are NATO members-marks a strategically significant development. This further institutionalizes the relationship, which is now set within a defined structure’, he noted. The President also recalled that the first round of consultations for this Strategic Dialogue was set to take place in October.
President Christodoulides highlighted the close cooperation that has developed between Cyprus and the U.S. across various sectors, including defence, justice, investments, and energy. He mentioned that efforts were being made to finalize additional agreements, such as Cyprus joining the Visa
Waiver Program, establishing direct flights between the two countries, and further attracting U.S. investments.
He particularly stressed the significance of attracting American investments, noting that Cyprus’ sound fiscal policies, continuous upgrades by credit rating agencies, and zero tolerance for corruption have generated strong interest from American companies.
“During my stay in New York, in addition to my important meeting with one of Chevron’s Vice Presidents, I had the opportunity to participate in a business luncheon with U.S. entrepreneurs who expressed interest in investment opportunities in energy, shipping, tourism, services, and infrastructure,” he explained.
President Christodoulides further revealed that in April next year, he will return to the United States for meetings focused exclusively on attracting investments and with a view to participate in an investment forum related to the shipping sector.
Cyprus’ humanitarian role in Gaza widely acknowledged
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Regarding the maritime humanitarian corridor from Cyprus to Gaza, President Christodoulides expressed pride in the recognition Cyprus received from both the UN Secretary-General and many foreign leaders for its pivotal role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
‘The UN Secretary-General himself, during our recent meeting, began our discussion by highlighting the decisive role of the Republic of Cyprus in the Middle East, as demonstrated through this initiative,’ the President said. He added that Cyprus, through its humanitarian efforts, found itself in the international spotlight for positive reasons, with its stabilizing role in the region being widely acknowledged.
President Christodoulides stressed that while Cyprus’ geographical proximity to the Middle East was important, the success of this initiative was largely due to the country’s strong diplomatic relations with all regional states, as well as its thorough preparation and high-quality infrastructure.
‘Cyprus has prov
en that it is not part of the problem but part of the solution and that it can contribute decisively to promoting peace and security in a region of significant strategic importance. Undoubtedly, this development also impacts our efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, as it highlights our country’s role. Through a potential solution to the Cyprus problem, this role should not only be safeguarded but further strengthened,’ he said.
International law must apply equally President responds to Erdogan
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On the 50th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, President Christodoulides noted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s selective references to the international law during his speech at the UN General Assembly, pointing out Turkey’s ongoing violations in Cyprus over the past five decades.
“As I have publicly stated, an aggressor, a violator of the international law, cannot defend legality or point fingers at others. The voice of morality cannot suffer from
selective historical amnesia or have selective sensitivity to violations of international law. International law is not (implemented) à la carte. Its interpretation does not change based on who the violator is. It must be applied equally, in all situations, in all countries. It must also be applied by Turkey, a country that has illegally occupied a significant part of an EU member state for 50 years,” President Christodoulides stressed.
He added that the vast majority of the Cypriot people recognize that the current state of affairs cannot define the future of Cyprus.
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