Newsroom
President Nikos Christodoulides said Tuesday he has written repeatedly to António Guterres requesting a meeting in March, as he moves to reignite momentum on the Cyprus issue.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace after meeting Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, Christodoulides said he also plans to convene the National Council to brief political leaders and exchange views on where things stand.
“We had an open and frank discussion,” the president said, describing the meeting as taking place in a “very good climate.”
The two sides reviewed progress on confidence-building measures (CBMs), discussed where delays remain and agreed to give further guidance to their negotiators. They also touched on substantive chapters of the Cyprus problem and agreed to meet again soon, with negotiators to set the date.
Christodoulides made clear his main objective: the resumption of formal, substantive talks.
“I have a clear goal,” he said, adding that he is not distracted by public statements or political noise. “What I am seeking is the resumption of talks with full safeguarding of the achievements of the negotiations, so that we can achieve the goal of resolving the Cyprus problem.”
Asked whether he senses willingness on the other side to continue dialogue, he answered simply: yes.
On the issue of crossing points, the president said proposals previously put forward, including the Lideni crossing and four additional checkpoints, were discussed again within the broader CBM framework. Further directions will now be given to negotiators.
He also confirmed that substantive matters were raised, including convergences achieved in past negotiations and the broader framework for a solution. Referring to previous understandings, he noted that political equality had been reaffirmed in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, which outline the basis for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Christodoulides said he has been writing to the UN Secretary-General “for days now” to secure a meeting next month, signaling that he wants international engagement to intensify alongside local dialogue.
There was no discussion during Tuesday’s meeting about the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease situation, he added.
No joint statement will be issued.
For now, the message from the Presidential Palace is that channels remain open, and that the next move could come as soon as March, if a meeting with the UN chief materializes.
