President exudes ''cautious optimism'' for Cyprus problem resolution

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides conveyed "cautious optimism" after being briefed by EU leaders at the EU-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit. The discussions with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO meeting in Vilnius were among the key topics discussed.

President Christodoulides also disclosed receiving a positive response from Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar regarding a joint visit to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) anthropological lab. He shared these updates upon his arrival for the second day of the EU-CELAC Summit in Brussels on Tuesday morning.

Thoroughly briefed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the discussions at the NATO Summit in Lithuania, President Christodoulides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments.

Noting Turkey's interest in strengthening EU-Turkey relations, President Christodoulides emphasized the importance of substantive developments regarding the Cyprus problem. He remained cautiously optimistic about developments and stated that diplomatic efforts would continue throughout the summer. He expressed hope for positive outcomes at the European Council in October and anticipated significant progress in New York.

Regarding his intention to promote measures for the Turkish Cypriot community, President Christodoulides revealed that he consulted with members of civil society who support reunification based on the agreed framework. Proposals addressing their concerns will be publicly presented soon.

The President also highlighted a positive reaction from Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar regarding a joint visit to the CMP anthropological laboratory. A specific date for the visit, planned at the end of July, was discussed, and both sides are preparing a joint communication to be issued afterward.

Next week, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Cyprus for bilateral and trilateral meetings. President Christodoulides expressed the intention to define strategies for concrete steps concerning the Cyprus problem in collaboration with the Greek Prime Minister.

On the margins of his recent meetings, specific references were made to the EU's role in EU-Turkey relations and the more active involvement of the European Union through the appointment of an envoy.

In regard to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's positions on the Cyprus problem, President Christodoulides emphasized the need for progress and the resumption of talks based on the agreed framework.

The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) is a bi-communal body established in 1981 by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities with the participation of the United Nations. The CMP's objective is to recover, identify, and return to their families the remains of 2002 missing persons (492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots) from the inter-communal fighting of 1963 to 1964 and the events of 1974. The Committee comprises three members, two appointed by the respective communities and a third selected by the International Committee of the Red Cross and appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.