President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has reiterated his readiness to make every possible effort to create prospects for the resumption of substantive talks on the Cyprus problem. He spoke on Thursday afternoon (29 October), ahead of the arrival in Cyprus of María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy.
A window of opportunity
The President made the remarks to journalists as he arrived at the State Fair for the 9th National Skills Competition, SkillsCyprus 2026. He was asked whether he saw a window of opportunity for the resumption of negotiations.
“As far as it depends on me, I will do whatever is possible for this window of opportunity to exist,” he said.
Acknowledging the difficulties that remain, he said he would continue to put forward new proposals within the agreed framework for resolving the Cyprus problem.
“Although I do not downplay the difficulties, the challenges, the problems, I am constantly here with new ideas, new approaches, always within the set framework, so that we succeed in opening this window,” he said.
Support for technical education
Referring to the Skills Competition, President Christodoulides stressed the importance of technical and technological education, both for young people’s career prospects and for the needs of the Cypriot economy.
He said his presence at the competition was intended to support and further upgrade the institution, which gives young people the opportunity to showcase their skills.
“I truly believe in the prospects of technical and technological professions,” he said, adding that this direction is directly linked to the needs of the labour market and the prospects of the economy.
Mr Christodoulides said he hoped that, through his contact with the contestants, ways of further upgrading the event could be explored.
Number of students choosing technical education
Asked about the low share of young people choosing technical education, the President acknowledged that the rate had been particularly low but said it is now increasing.
He referred to the decision to create Technical Gymnasiums, noting that the effort began in Limassol and Nicosia, has expanded to Paphos and Larnaca, and aims to cover the whole of Cyprus.
He said demand for places was significantly higher than the number available, which in his view shows growing interest.
He also said the number of students choosing technical education after gymnasium has risen sharply.
“It is something we encourage and strengthen, and something linked to where we want to take our country,” he concluded.
