President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday that the current situation in Cyprus harms both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, insisting that meaningful progress remains possible if there is genuine political will from all sides.
Speaking before his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, Christodoulides said he remained convinced that the two sides could achieve significant progress despite the challenges surrounding the Cyprus problem.
"We can make history"
Asked to comment on Erhürman's recent remarks that it would not be easy for the two leaders to "make history together", Christodoulides said he was approaching the meeting in a positive spirit.
"If there is political will, yes, we can make history," he said, adding that many other arguments and obstacles emerge when there is no genuine commitment to progress.
The President said his goal remains the reversal of what he described as the current illegal state of affairs and the reunification of Cyprus.
Current situation harms all Cypriots
Christodoulides said the continuation of the status quo damages the interests of all communities on the island.
"My message to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and to the Turkish Cypriot leader is that if the current situation remains, those who lose are Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It is the Cypriot people who lose," he said.
He added that this was a deeply held belief rather than a political slogan, stressing that he would continue working towards a better future for all Cypriots, including Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
Expected a more positive response
The President said he had hoped for a more positive reaction from Erhürman following his recent interview with Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen.
"I expected a more positive message from what I consider to have been a positive interview that sent constructive messages to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots," he said.
Olgin's absence "not a setback"
Asked whether the cancellation of María Ángela Holguín's planned trip to New York due to illness represented a setback, Christodoulides said it should not be viewed in that way.
"It is not a positive development, but it is for medical reasons and therefore we must show understanding," he said.
Relations with US continue to strengthen
The President also referred to the arrival of the new US ambassador, who presented his credentials on Wednesday.
Christodoulides said he would hold a fuller meeting with the ambassador next week and described bilateral relations as exceptionally strong.
"In four words, as we said with the new American ambassador, when it comes to relations between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus, the sky is the limit," he said.
