The latest effort by the UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus issue has already begun and is currently in progress, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday, pointing to developments since early March.
Speaking ahead of an event in Nicosia, Christodoulides said recent violations in the buffer zone by the occupying side have intensified and serve a dual purpose.
He said the aim is both to challenge the status of the buffer zone and to create further complications for the renewed initiative led by António Guterres.
“We are in contact with the United Nations. These violations are increasing and are carried out with a dual objective,” he said, adding that while UN reactions are noted, Cyprus expects tangible outcomes rather than statements that do not restore the situation on the ground.
The President also referred to earlier remarks he made following his meeting with Guterres in Brussels, reiterating that a new UN effort had already been set in motion. He suggested there is a deliberate policy by some actors to obstruct this process.
Responding to further questions, Christodoulides said the violations are also linked to attempts by the Turkish side to secure a separate agreement between the UN and the occupying authorities, something he firmly rejected.
“There is no such possibility,” he said, noting that the issue was recently discussed with UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
He added that the government is acting on two fronts, engaging both the United Nations and the European Union, while stressing that responsibility lies clearly with Turkey.
Process already under way
Christodoulides clarified that the new UN initiative did not begin recently nor is it expected to start in July, as suggested by Tufan Erhürman.
Instead, he said preparatory work has been ongoing since early March, following contacts between Guterres and the Turkish President, and later with himself in Brussels.
He noted that efforts are under way at both the Secretary-General level and through the UN’s personal envoy, adding that a visit to Cyprus is possible.
The goal, he said, is to create the conditions necessary for convening an expanded conference aimed at resuming negotiations.
He also confirmed that dates have been proposed for a meeting with Erhürman, with an official announcement expected within the coming days.
Concerns over al-Sharaa participation
Christodoulides also referred to the presence of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa at the informal European Council in Cyprus, describing it as part of a broader effort to bring the European Union closer to neighbouring states in the region.
“This was not our first contact,” he said, noting that Cyprus’ Foreign Minister had been the first to visit Syria, and stressing that “the Syrian leader’s presence in Cyprus is important” within this wider diplomatic approach.
At the same time, the President revealed that there had been attempts by some parties to prevent al-Sharaa from attending.
“Despite information that some tried to block his participation in the informal European Council, he chose to be here,” Christodoulides said.
He added that al-Sharaa “spoke publicly” and contributed to discussions, outlining how he views developments in EU-Syria relations.
“As the EU member state in the region, we continue to play a substantive role focused on results. That is what matters to us. Results,” the President said.
Source: CNA