Paphos: It is time to focus on the substance of the Cyprus issue, said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, today in Paphos, expressing his readiness whenever the UN Secretary-General calls "to respond to the expanded conference, which, as already agreed, will be held with one and only one purpose: to resume the talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana."
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides remarked on the sidelines of the Epiphany celebrations in Paphos, in response to reports by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on his Good Offices and UNFICYP. "I note the positive tone of the Secretary-General," he stated.
President Christodoulides emphasized that "this is the first time in a long time that we have seen the Secretary-General use this positive tone," and highlighted the importance of discussing the substance of the Cyprus issue, which he believes is crucial for progress.
The President reflected on the past two and a half years under the former Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, noting that due to Tatar's positions, there was no advancement on substantive issues, and discussions were limited to confidence-building measures.
He reiterated that it is "time to focus on the substance, and we are ready whenever the Secretary-General convenes an expanded conference to respond". As previously agreed, "the conference will be held with one and only one purpose: to resume the talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana".
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, after Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Multiple rounds of UN-led peace talks have yet to produce results. The last attempt at negotiations took place in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, which ended without a resolution.