Famagusta: The preparatory work with the UN to create the conditions for a successful expanded conference has been underway since yesterday, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said Saturday evening upon arrival at an event organized by Famagusta Municipality to commemorate the city's fall to the Turkish army in August 1974. The preparatory work being carried out together with the United Nations on a technocratic level will go on throughout August, he added.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President elaborated on the steps necessary to hold the informal five-party conference. He mentioned his recent meeting with Mr. Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, noting that discussions had already commenced at a technical level with the UN. He expressed confidence that the preparatory work was also underway with all relevant parties.
President Christodoulides highlighted that the groundwork for convening this expanded conference has begun based on the UN Secretary-General's directions. The UN has appointed an academic constitutional expert who was involved in the previous negotiation process, indicating a thorough approach to the upcoming talks.
The President emphasized the positive development that the Secretary-General has acknowledged the convergences in the negotiation process. He announced plans to convene a National Council to inform political leaders and reiterated the commitment to work throughout August to ensure the success of the expanded conference, aiming to resume talks from their previous interruption.
Addressing inquiries about the role of Brussels in EU-Turkey relations, President Christodoulides discussed the EU's involvement in the negotiations. He noted that the EU's role is not to dictate the content of the solution but to act as a safety valve on contentious issues. Discussions with Mr. Fitto included specific proposals and recommendations, underlining the EU's readiness to contribute to the peace process.
President Christodoulides expressed hope for the support of political parties, organized groups, municipalities, and the entire Cypriot populace in achieving the goal of ending the occupation and reuniting Cyprus. The island remains divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, with repeated UN-led peace talks failing to yield results.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, nearing the end of his term, announced plans to convene another broader format meeting after adequate preparation. Although no timeline was given, he secured consensus from both sides and the guarantor powers. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked with engaging the parties, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto assumes the role of European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding Johannes Hahn.