Letymbiotis notes Juncker's approval of Christodoulides

Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, οn Thursday said he notes statements by former European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, about the sincere will of President Nikos Christodoulides for the restart of the Cyprus problem negotiations from the point where they were interrupted.

During a media briefing at the Presidential Palace, and, asked to comment on Juncker’s statements in an interview with CNA, that, as regards the negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus Problem in Crans Montana, the Greek Cypriot side was “not really prepared to jump”, Letymbiotis said that “we take note of Mr Juncker’s personal views.”

The Spokesperson also said that what should be noted as regards the interview in question is that, Juncker himself notes that the prospects for resolving the Cyprus issue continue to exist, but that he also “highlights” the role that the European Union can play in the effort for the resolution of the Cyprus problem. “At the same time, Mr Juncker himself recognises the sincere will, the efforts currently made by President Christodoulides for the restart of the negotiations from the point where they have been interrupted”, the Spokesperson added.

Asked when UNSG personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguín Cuellar, would brief Antonio Guterres about the Cyprus issue, Letymbiotis said, that according to the information they have, Holguin is to meet with the UN Secretary General in the first week of June, to exchange views on the assessment of the situation and on the next steps that could be taken.

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 Holguín last January 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.