The government referred yesterday to a possible meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman next month. The government spokesperson did not respond directly to criticism from Erhürman, who claimed that Christodoulides is presenting “ideas beyond the limits of logic”.
The Greek Cypriot side hopes that a meeting between the two leaders will take place in Nicosia during April, a meeting that had been vaguely agreed during their last encounter, which had created further difficulties in the process.
The government, through its spokesperson, stated yesterday that any such meeting would underline “our political will, which is clear, to see developments as soon as possible that will allow a return to substantive negotiations.”
As he noted, “we have already conveyed, through negotiator Mr Menelaou, a specific date for the new meeting between the President of the Republic and Mr Erhürman. So far there has been no response. We are waiting and, of course, once it is confirmed, there will be relevant announcements.”
Asked what that date is, he said “it is within April.”
The reference was made after yesterday’s meeting between the President of the Republic and Kasim Dian, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus.
According to the spokesperson, Nikos Christodoulides referred to the important role of UNFICYP in the buffer zone, adding that he will continue to cooperate constructively with the peacekeeping force so that it can effectively implement its mandate. He also said that the two discussed ongoing violations by the occupying army in the buffer zone.
No comment
It should be noted that the government spokesperson avoided commenting on the statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, who reacted to Christodoulides’ call for the Turkish Cypriot community to return to the Republic of Cyprus if it wishes to contribute to any discussion regarding the presence of the British Bases in Cyprus.
As he stated, “we will not enter into a public confrontation nor will we negotiate publicly. With respect, we will continue to position ourselves by prioritising international law, the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus and what should be considered self-evident in any other state.”
“Firm position”
The spokesperson essentially avoided explaining how and under what conditions the President expects the return of the Turkish Cypriots to the Republic of Cyprus. However, he referred during his remarks to the need for a definitive solution to the Cyprus problem based on a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation with political equality, as defined in the resolutions of the UN Security Council and in accordance with the principles, values and law of the European Union.
This renewed reference by the government to the framework of the solution is seen as a response to the reservations and objections expressed by Tufan Erhürman, who described Christodoulides’ statements as “ideas beyond the limits of logic.”
Nevertheless, Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed yesterday that the actions of the President, “from the first moment he assumed office, demonstrate in practice our sincere commitment to the effort to resume negotiations.”
He added that the government will continue in this direction “without allowing anyone to distract us from what we have pursued from the beginning: substantive dialogue and the presentation of arguments and positions.”
“Because we have absolute confidence in the correctness of our positions, in our arguments, and above all in the pursuit of international law,” the government spokesperson concluded.