President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus is experiencing the most significant diplomatic momentum on the Cyprus issue in years, with preparations continuing throughout August for an expanded conference intended to pave the way for the resumption of negotiations.
Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Christodoulides said UN Secretary-General António Guterres' recent visit to Cyprus was the result of sustained diplomatic efforts launched by his government in March 2023.
Expanded conference aimed at producing results
The president welcomed Guterres' stated intention to convene a new expanded conference, noting that the UN chief had secured the consent of all parties involved.
According to Christodoulides, the proposed meeting is intended to produce substantive results rather than serve as a symbolic gathering.
"We agree absolutely that it should be a conference with results, not a conference simply for the sake of holding one," he said.
Importance of references to convergences
Christodoulides described as particularly significant Guterres' public references to existing convergences and the accumulated negotiating acquis.
He said these public remarks provided important clarity regarding the basis of future discussions and addressed questions that had existed before the UN secretary-general's visit.
The issue of convergences, he added, was discussed both during his bilateral meeting with Guterres and during the trilateral meeting involving Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
Enhanced EU role
The president also highlighted what he described as growing acceptance of a stronger European Union role in the process.
He noted that European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto had been appointed as the EU's representative for the Cyprus issue and would hold meetings with both leaders during his visit to the island.
Christodoulides said the EU's role concerns both the substance of a future settlement and broader EU-Turkey relations.
August preparations continue
The president said preparatory work would continue throughout August, with the negotiating acquis helping to shape both the methodology and outcome of the proposed conference.
He added that further contacts with the United Nations were expected as efforts continue to prepare the ground for the next phase.
Christodoulides expressed the view that the expanded conference could be convened as soon as possible, with the ultimate objective of formally announcing the resumption of negotiations.
