President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos met at the Presidential Palace around ten days ago, in a meeting that was not made public. According to exclusive information obtained by Politis, the meeting took place at the President’s own initiative and was the first between the two since Mr Prountzos took office as mayor of the capital.
The timing is significant. Nicosia faces critical decisions on major development projects. At the same time, discussion of the Cyprus problem is bringing back issues that directly affect daily life in the capital and its residents on both sides of the Green Line.
Two main areas on the agenda
According to Politis, the agenda of the meeting focused on two main areas. The first concerned the major development plans of the Municipality of Nicosia. The second concerned local government initiatives linked to the Cyprus problem.
SOPAZ and the Metropolitan Park on the table
Two of the capital’s most important development projects were at the centre of the discussion: the development of the SOPAZ area and the regeneration of the Metropolitan Park in Engomi.
The SOPAZ project is particularly notable. The development has an estimated cost of €389 million, and its feasibility study has already been completed. However, the government has not yet taken the decisive decision that would allow it to move to the next stages.
The plans provide for a new urban hub in eastern Nicosia, with:
- technology businesses and research infrastructure
- affordable housing and student accommodation
- green spaces and cultural facilities
The fact that the matter was raised directly with the President carries additional weight, as the project’s progress now depends largely on decisions at government level. It remains unknown whether any specific commitment or timetable emerged from the discussion.
The two men also discussed the prospect of regenerating the Metropolitan Park in Engomi, another key project for improving the capital’s urban environment. Discussing both projects at the highest level of the state reflects the importance the Municipality places on securing government support to resolve outstanding issues and move the plans forward.
The Cyprus problem and the upcoming meeting with Holguín
Beyond development issues, a significant part of the discussion was devoted to the Cyprus problem, with particular reference to the proposals submitted by the two mayors of Nicosia for joint initiatives.
According to the same information, the Nicosia mayor is expected to meet in the coming days with María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus.
The meeting is relevant because of the initiatives the two mayors have undertaken and the effort to keep proposals in focus that could move forward as confidence-building measures, regardless of difficulties in the wider political process. Whether these proposals gain new momentum will depend on the stance of the two sides and their ability to find common ground at a practical level.
First meeting after more than two years
Beyond the substance of the issues discussed, more than two years passed between Mr Prountzos taking office and his first meeting with the President of the Republic. Mr Christodoulides’ invitation to the Presidential Palace now establishes a direct channel of communication on issues that require central government decisions, such as major development projects.
