No negotiation on two-state solution with ambiguous sovereign equality

A two-state solution with the vague term of sovereign equality will never be negotiated by the Greek Cypriot side, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, stressing that ''we have no secret plan B.''

“Our only plan is what we have promised to the Cypriot people, that is to seek a solution under the auspices of the United Nations on the basis of the negotiating body of work, the Security Council resolutions, with the European principles and values as a premise,” Christodoulides told a ceremony to mark the 48th anniversary since the establishment of his coalition ally, ruling centre Democratic Rally and the 20th anniversary since Cyprus’ entry to the EU.

“I would also like to make clear, that a two-state solution with the vague term of sovereign equality will never be negotiated by us,” he added.

Stating “this is not our vision for our people,” Christodoulides went on to say that “we wish for a European, functional and viable solution. We want a European state a normal state as the (UN) Secretary-General called it, nothing more nothing less.”

Furthermore, the President described the accession of Cyprus as the “most historic development since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960,” adding that “we are entitled to be proud because it was the culmination of the collaboration between the governments of Greece and Cyprus.”

Moreover, he highlighted the role the Union could play in addressing “our No 1 priority concerning the reunification of our country,” noting that the support of Cyprus’ EU partners made a new effort for the resumption of the UN-backed talks by the UNSG’s personal envoy was made possible.

“Despite the Turkish side’s stance, we will continue to strive for the end of the Turkish occupation and the reunification of our country. We have confidence and a clear plan”, he went on to say.

Christodoulides also noted that during his term as Foreign Minister and now as President he invested and continues to invest on the EU’s role “as I am confident that the EU acquis could act not only as the basis for the solution of the Cyprus problem but also as a safeguard for the implementation of a potential solution.”

This would constitute the most substantive confidence building measure for out Turkish Cypriot fellow citizens and the best reply to all those who repeat claims on the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, he concluded.

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 in 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.