Renewed Hope for Cyprus as Talks Set to Resume
In a recent statement, President Nikos Christodoulides of the Greek Cypriot side has expressed a steadfast readiness to return to the negotiation table to address the longstanding Cyprus problem. This announcement came as Christodoulides spoke on the fringes of an event commemorating Cyprus’ 20th anniversary as a member of the European Union.
President Christodoulides has been actively engaging with Maria Angela Holguin, the UNSG’s Personal Envoy, in preparation for their upcoming meeting on Monday. With a hopeful tone, he anticipates a positive outcome that could pave the way to resume talks. “What I can say with certainty is that from our side we will continue to take advantage of any opportunity there is, to resume talks. There is no other option for us,” he stated firmly.
The President also touched upon his recent discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, highlighting the significance of Mitsotakis’ visit to Ankara not only for Greek-Turkish relations but also for the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue. The potential positive developments from the meeting between Mitsotakis and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan are seen as crucial in the ongoing effort to resume talks.
Addressing comments made by Erdogan in an interview with “Kathimerini”, a Greek newspaper, where the Turkish President mentioned energy as a potential area for cooperation rather than conflict, Christodoulides clarified that Cyprus is open to collaboration with all regional states, including Turkey, contingent upon resolving the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that Cyprus has shown willingness to delineate maritime boundaries based on international law, but it is Turkey that has been resistant to dialogue.
“I repeat. The key issue is to resume talks,” Christodoulides emphasized, expressing bewilderment at the reluctance to engage in discussion. He reiterated the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to dialogue, stressing that maintaining the status quo serves no one’s interests – not those of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Turkey, the EU, or the region at large. With a call for responsiveness, he concluded with hope for progress: “We are ready to discuss and hopefully there will be a response.”
