Optimism Precedes Tatar’s Meeting with UN Chief on Cyprus Issue
In a statement made following a church service, President Nikos Christodoulides expressed hope for a constructive dialogue regarding the longstanding Cyprus problem. He anticipates that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, will engage positively with the proposals put forth by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This comes after Christodoulides himself met with Guterres and received certain proposals, which he has accepted.
The president emphasized the significance of the upcoming meeting between Tatar and Guterres, scheduled for April 5 in New York. This encounter is seen as a pivotal moment that could potentially lead to progress in resolving the Cyprus issue. Christodoulides noted that his communication with Holguin remains ongoing, but underscored that the spotlight is now on Tatar’s response to the Secretary-General’s proposal.
The meeting in New York was arranged after an initial plan for Tatar to meet Guterres in Brussels had to be rescheduled due to Tatar’s inability to travel at that time. The Turkish Cypriot leader’s visit to New York is expected to clarify his stance on the Cyprus problem. Tatar has consistently advocated for the recognition of sovereign equality and equal international status for both sides of the island, deeming these conditions as essential for the resumption of any negotiations.
Furthermore, Tatar is anticipated to argue against the current negotiation framework, where one party is recognized as a state while the other is merely seen as a community. The outcome of this meeting could set the tone for future discussions and potential resolutions to this decades-long dispute.