The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has some thoughts that could pave the way for the resumption of Cyprus talks, our response to them was positive and we expect to see the response of the Turkish side, Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.
In statements to the press, following a church mass in Nicosia for the Greek Independence Day, the President said that he had a very good meeting with the UN Secretary – General in Brussels recently and that the next period will give us indications as to whether we are close to the goal of the resumption of the peace talks.
He said that the Secretary – General has “some thoughts and ideas which we support and we expect to see the response of the Turkish side to these thoughts,” pointing out that he believes these thoughts can pave the way for the resumption of the negotiations.
The President noted that this will at the same time affect other developments in relation to Euro-Turkish issues in particular. He said that our approach to this specifi
c issue is known and it issomething he discussed with the German Chancellor and the French President.
Cyprus President went on to say that “we believe that Turkey’s relations with the EU, the full range of Euro-Turkish relations, taking into account Turkey’s desire to strengthen these relations, could lead , through a gradual approach, in positive developments.” He underlined that determination and patience are needed and “we are working in this direction.”
Replying to a question whether Antonio Guterres will do something personally, or if he will call the two leaders in Cyprus to a meeting, the President said that the Secretary-General has already taken actions himself personally and his personal envoy, but noted that he does not wish to share his ideas publicly.
He expressed his hope that there will be a result through the UNSG’s effort.
He noted that he considers it important that there is a personal interest from the Secretary-General himself and that the Cyprus issue was also discussed during Guterre
s’ meetings with the head of the European Council.
The President also went on to say that his response was positive when he was presented with these ideas and thoughts, by the General-Secretary, noting that he supports his ideas and hopes that the Turkish side will respond positively as well.
In relation to the “Amalthea” initiative aiming at providing aid to civilians in Gaza via a maritime corridor from Cyprus, he said that the effort and consultations on this continue and that there is great interest from the EU and from many countries.
The President also referred to the presence of 36 countries at a recent meeting of senior officials on this issue in Larnaca, stressing that “we continue to implement and strengthen this initiative.”
Replying to another question about some remarks by the Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios in his speech earlier, “he emphasized that our goal and all our actions are in coordination with the Greek government”.
He said that there is complete cooperation that led to the appointme
nt, by the the UN Secretary General, of his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. He also noted that the less we discuss in pubic about security and defence issues, the better. He referred to the message of the Greek struggle for independence, especially for us Cypriots as this year marks 50 years of the Turkish invasion and occupation.
The President noted that we have a clear goal and this goal is common, despite what is said in public statements.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.
The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Columbia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
