President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said recent diplomatic developments could create momentum for renewed movement on the Cyprus issue. He described the coming period as particularly critical, with intensive consultations expected to focus on convening an expanded conference and securing the resumption of negotiations.
Briefing at the Presidential Palace
Christodoulides briefed a delegation from Famagusta Municipality and a group of foreign officials on the latest developments during a meeting at the Presidential Palace on Friday.
The foreign officials are being hosted by Famagusta Municipality as part of events condemning the continued Turkish occupation of Cyprus.
According to a written statement by Director of the President’s Press Office Victor Papadopoulos, Christodoulides highlighted what he described as the positive outcome of the UN Secretary-General’s recent visit to Cyprus.
He also briefed the delegation on his meeting earlier on Friday with the European Union’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto.
EU involvement in Cyprus settlement efforts
The president stressed the importance of the EU’s involvement in supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, both in relation to the form and substance of a potential settlement.
He also referred to the benefits Turkey could secure regarding its ambitions in EU-Turkey relations by taking steps towards resolving the Cyprus issue.
Christodoulides outlined the efforts being made by the government and by himself personally to advance prospects for a settlement.
Intensive consultations ahead
The president said the immediate period would be “very critical”, with continuous and intensive consultations aimed at enabling the UN Secretary-General to convene an expanded conference.
The broader objective, he added, is to create the conditions for an announcement confirming the resumption of formal negotiations.
Christodoulides also noted that the UN Secretary-General had publicly referred to the president’s strong political will, within the established UN parameters, as well as to existing convergences and the need to complete what he described as the “last mile”.
Source: CNA.
