eoliiPresident Nikos Christodoulides has expressed hope that a document recording convergences in the Cyprus problem will be ready by the time the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguín, arrives in Cyprus on September 10.
Christodoulides said the Greek Cypriot side considers the document a basis for restarting negotiations on the Cyprus problem.
Speaking after the inauguration of the regeneration project in the centre of Meniko village, the President said the document should be provided to both sides and the guarantor powers so that the process can move forward “as soon as possible”.
“We hope that this document will be ready,” Christodoulides said, describing it as “a very good way to restart the talks”.
A day earlier Politis reported that the UN is currently still in the process of preparing a document compiling the body of work undertaken in the negotiations up to and including the talks in Crans-Montana in 2017. No decision has been taken yet on its completion, content or final use.
Common ground on substance and methodology
Referring to his meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Christodoulides said he believes there is a significant degree of common understanding on both substantive issues and methodology.
He said confidence-building measures had also been discussed and expressed readiness ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly.
“We have a meeting this week with the Turkish Cypriot leader,” he said. “I believe there is a significant degree of common understanding on substantive issues and on methodology.”
Talks would resume from areas of disagreement
According to Christodoulides, once agreement has been reached on the convergence document, the negotiating acquis should be safeguarded and an expanded conference should be held.
During that conference, the resumption of negotiations would be announced on the basis of the existing convergences.
“From the moment we agree on the convergences — we know very well where there are no convergences, where the differences are — negotiations should resume from the differences,” he said.
Focus on September 10 and the UN General Assembly
Asked whether progress could be made before Holguín’s visit, Christodoulides said the Greek Cypriot side hoped so.
He also said he had been informed of the date and time of his bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the UN General Assembly.
Guterres is also expected to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader.
“Since we will all be there… after the official week of the General Assembly, we should move forward,” Christodoulides said.
Call for political will
The President said the Greek Cypriot side was ready to proceed and expressed hope that all parties involved would demonstrate the same political will and positive response.
“We are ready on our side and I hope there will be the same political will, the same positive response from all the parties involved,” he said.
The coming meetings, including Holguín’s visit to Cyprus and contacts around the UN General Assembly, are expected to provide an opportunity to assess whether the reported areas of convergence can form the basis for a renewed negotiating process.
Source: CNA
