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President mulls ideas, incentives for “positive prospects” in the Cyprus issue

We are exploring ideas and incentives, taking into account the framework of EU-Turkish relations with a view to creating positive prospects in the Cyprus issue, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday ahead of a new round of contacts by UN envoy on Cyprus, who is expected on the island mid-March, with the President rejecting at the same time ideas leading to ‘sovereign equality.’

“There are many views and ideas under consideration by Cyprus, taking into account the dimension of EU – Turkish relations,’ President Christodoulides said speaking to the press in Akaki, Nicosia District.

He stressed however that ‘there can be no notion, and consequently no idea which may refer to the satisfaction of a demand, and I refer to the sovereign equality, which is not even under discussion.’

‘Therefore yes, we are considering ideas, incentives, if you will, conditions which could create positive prospects, especially taking into account the framework of the EU-Turkey relations,’ he added.

Invited
to comment on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar over the acknowledgement of sovereign equality, Christodoulides said he did not expect anything different from Tatar.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side awaits the UN Chief’s personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar’s second visit to Cyprus and the meeting on March 11, adding that Holguin on Mach 7 will visit London and after Cyprus or perhaps before may visit Turkey and Brussels.

‘Irrespective of what it is said, I reiterate that all of us will be judged. On our side, we know what we want, we have clear-cut aims, clear expectations from this mission and will do our utmost for positive results,’ the President underlined.

Replying to a question whether there are signs for a more active involvement by the guarantor powers and especially Britain, President Christodoulides remarked that Turkey should be more actively involved, adding that this is the reason why Holguin traveled to Ankara.

He also expressed hope her contacts in Turkey will
be carried out on a higher level, including that of Turkish President Erdogan.

‘From there on, the role of the international community in a problem such as the Cyprus issue is important, particularly at this phase as we are striving to resume talks from the point they were left off in Crans Montana,’ he added.

Responding to a question whether Cyprus received any messages on the issue of energy following Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Egypt, Christodoulides said no messages have been received, recalling that before Erdogan’s visit to Cairo, the Egyptian Foreign Minister visited Cyprus, with the Erdogan’s visit ‘being one of the main issues of discussion.’

“There’s no issue in relation with energy matters. Currently the solution of the Cyprus problem and the creation of conditions towards a solution on the basis of the agreed framework would enhance this prospect but as we talk there is nothing specific,’ the President concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its nort
hern third.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to explore the ground for the revival of the UN-backed talks, since the latest inconclusive round held in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana in July 2017.

Source: Cyprus News Agency