President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday he hopes his scheduled meeting next week with the Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman will help create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
Speaking to reporters ahead of an event organised by the Cyprus Union of Olympic Participants, in Nicosia, President Christodoulides confirmed that his scheduled meeting with Erhurman will take place as planned on February 24.
“Of course, the meeting is scheduled and it will take place normally on February 24” he said, adding that despite public statements and political commentary in recent days, he remains focused on the objective of restarting talks.
“I know what we want, I know what we are seeking. Our goal is clear. We have demonstrated throughout this period our strong political will, and I hope that, with this approach, when I go to the meeting on 24 February, the conditions will be created for the resumption of negotiations,” he said.
'Sincere dialogue'
The President clarified that domestic political developments, including the parliamentary elections next May and Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency this semester, would not affect his handling of the Cyprus issue.
“I am going to this meeting in the hope that, through a sincere dialogue — because we must be sincere — the conditions will be created for the resumption of talks,” he said.
Asked whether there had been progress on confidence-building measures (CBMs) following meetings between the negotiators of the two sides, President Christodoulides said that each meeting includes an assessment of progress.
“In some areas there is progress, in others there is not. But these are political decisions, and I am ready, on our side, to take whatever decisions are necessary in order to have positive developments,” he added.