Christodoulides to Stewart: 'Tatar's two-state solution is out of the question'

Kathimerini.com.cy

The President-elect of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, made it clear to Colin Stewart, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, today that the two-state solution model advocated by the T/C leader, Ersin Tatar, is out of the question. He also emphasized that he is prepared to pick up where they left off in Crans Montan and that efforts should begin right away rather than waiting for the elections in Turkey.

Stuart, for his part, welcomed the President-elect's suggestion that the EU take part in the Cyprus process under the supervision of the United Nations in order to provide incentives to advance the process. Stuart also pointed out that the United Nations supports a solution involving a bizonal bicommunal federation in accordance with the international organization's resolutions.

During his 50-minute meeting with Mr. Stewart, Mr. Christodoulides said that the Greek Cypriot side insists on a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, based on the UN resolutions, with political equality, and that he considers such a solution as feasible, while he also raised the issue of the Varosha region and the need to implement the UN resolutions.

The Greek Cypriot side insists on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, based on the UN resolutions, and Mr. Christodoulides said he considers such a solution to be feasible during his 50-minute meeting with Mr. Stewart. He also brought up the issue of the Varosha region and the need to implement the UN resolutions.

The President-elect stated that he was concentrating on the restart of negotiations under the auspices of the UN, with the EU playing a major role. The status quo is not a solution and serves neither the interests of either community, he added, adding that he wants to convey this to Ersin Tatar at the meeting on Thursday.

He even addressed the issue of the messages that were being conveyed by the statements made by all parties, declaring that he would refrain from using divisive language.

Mr. Stewart was informed by the President-elect that the EU should take the lead in UN efforts because it can offer incentives that result in a win-win scenario. As part of its European course, Turkey has many demands for the EU, which can also profit from finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, he also pointed out.

Furthermore, Christodoulides emphasized that it is crucial for the UN to convey that a solution other than a bizonal bicommunal federation is not an option.

According to the same sources, Mr. Stewart stated that he was encouraged by what he had heard, welcomed the idea of the EU taking part in the process under the supervision of the UN to offer incentives to advance the process, and that the UN supported a solution involving a bizonal, bicommunal federation in accordance with its resolutions.

The UN representative added that while he thinks there is room for compromise, it will be challenging to get the Turkish side back to the negotiating table and that efforts must be made to rebuild trust. He also gave an update on how the Varosha problem was progressing.

The meeting between the president-elect and the head of the Turkish Cypriot community will take place on Thursday, according to Mr. Christodoulides and Mr. Stewart. 

Christodoulides stated to Stewart that he wished to develop a personal relationship with Mr. Tatar, while Stewart expressed the hope that the circumstances of this first meeting would facilitate a second meeting.

According to a statement from the Political Office of the President-elect, Christodoulides and Stewart discussed the possibility of restarting negotiations as well as the specifics of a meeting that will take place between Christodoulides and the Turkish Cypriot leader on Thursday at Mr. Stewart's home near the Nicosia airport.

[This article was originally published in Greek]