cyprus meeting — cyprus meeting — President Nikos Christodoulides emphasised the need for an enlarged meeting regarding the Cyprus problem during a telephone conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday. This discussion followed Christodoulides’ meeting with European Union envoy Johannes Hahn and came just before a tripartite meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin.
As one of Cyprus’ guarantor powers, Greece plays a crucial role in these discussions, typically represented by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. The aim is to foster dialogue among the involved parties, including Turkey and the United Kingdom, to address the longstanding issues surrounding Cyprus.
During the call, Christodoulides articulated that the purpose of the day’s meetings was to pave the way for the resumption of substantive negotiations, which had been interrupted in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. A government statement reiterated that Nicosia and Athens are in complete alignment, steadily progressing towards the unchanged objective of resolving the Cyprus problem.
The resolution, according to the statement, should adhere to the resolutions of the UN Security Council, the principles and values of the EU, and the European acquis communautaire. This framework underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
Following his meeting with Hahn, Christodoulides highlighted the significant role the European Union can play in the process. He noted that the EU has both political and institutional tools capable of supporting the resumption and progress of negotiations. “The EU’s active involvement is not only a strategic choice for Cyprus but also a recognition that the solution to the Cyprus problem is a European issue that affects the cohesion, stability, and security of the entire union,” he stated.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis had previously reiterated Greece’s commitment to reunifying the island, stating that the Greek government’s positions are clear. He asserted that it is now up to other parties to demonstrate their willingness to restart talks within a framework defined by UN resolutions and the broader relationship between the EU and Turkey.
Gerapetritis remarked that the election of pro-reunification candidate Tufan Erhurman as Turkish Cypriot leader in October represents a new chapter filled with hope and expectations for the island’s reunification. The alignment of thoughts and actions among the involved parties could be pivotal in moving forward.