“Setting terms and conditions before the resumption of negotiations is a tactic that does not help bring about progress.”
This was the response of the President of the Republic to remarks made by the Turkish Cypriot leader in an interview, in which he, among other things, cited the acceptance of “rotating presidency” as a prerequisite for the resumption of negotiations.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“The issue of a rotating presidency is one of its key pillars. So far, I have not heard the Greek Cypriot leader say: ‘I accept, in principle, the rotating presidency.’ The exact arrangements that will apply under the rotating presidency will certainly be the subject of negotiations.”
Tufan Erhurman – Turkish Cypriot leader
“The Turkish Cypriot leader’s interview is particularly revealing because it shows why talks have not resumed—one of the main reasons why talks have not yet resumed.”
Nikos Christodoulides – President of the Republic
Verbal Discussions
At the same time, the situation remains unclear regarding the much-discussed 19 points submitted by the President of the Republic, which—as Tufan Erhurman pointed out — he never received in writing.
“I avoid sharing with the media what was said or proposed by my interlocutor during our meetings. However, this does not prevent me from stating that I have not received such a written document from my interlocutor, either directly or indirectly.”
Tufan Erhürman – Turkish Cypriot leader
And the President of the Republic explains that the proposals were conveyed verbally and not in writing.
“The proposals were submitted verbally; he is aware of the 19 very specific proposals—he has taken a position on some of them, while on others he has not yet taken a position.”
Nikos Christodoulides – President of the Republic
Sparked Tensions
As for the negotiations now, much will depend on the meeting between the two leaders the day after tomorrow, pending the next visit by Antonio Guterres’s Personal Envoy.
In any case, María Ángela Holguín caused some irritation for the President of the Republic, since in her latest article she suggested, on the one hand, that we are very far apart, while on the other hand, she once again maintained a neutral stance regarding responsibility for the lack of progress.
“It would have been ideal; it would have been a positive development if Ms. Holguín had also been present at the many meetings I had with the Turkish Cypriot leader, so that she could have formed her own understanding of all the issues discussed.”
Nikos Christodoulides – President of the Republic
He noted that he had recently responded via email to a lengthy message sent to him by Holguín.
He addressed each point of that message individually, while the President of the Republic revealed that he had also recently written to the UN Secretary-General, setting forth very specific ideas in that correspondence.
The full report by George Chrysanthou:
