With new ideas regarding substance, methodology, and confidence-building measures—which, if there is political will, could signal progress on the Cyprus issue even during the week of the UN General Assembly in New York, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, traveled to attend today’s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.
Upon his return to the Presidential Palace, Nikos Christodoulides stated that the “new ideas” were presented to Mr. Erhürman, who did not react negatively but asked for further clarification. When asked to reveal the content of the new ideas, the President of the Republic said that he would first await the Turkish Cypriot leader’s reaction and the discussions he will have with María Ángela Olgín and António Guterres in New, and then he would inform the Cypriot people.
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The President of the Republic limited himself to explaining that the new ideas are intertwined with issues that have already been brought to the negotiating table, as they concern aspects of the terms of reference, substance, and methodology aimed at resuming talks.
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When asked whether, following this meeting, we are on the same page, the President of the Republic said, “No, we were not on the same page. I raised some new points on all three issues: the Terms of Reference, the methodology, and the substance. It was a good meeting, as noted in the UN communiqué. I raised some new ideas on all three issues—the MOEs, the substance, and the methodology. The Turkish Cypriot leader reserved the right to study them. There was no negative response. On some points, further clarification was requested, which I provided. All of these, along with some other proposals we have prepared, I will present to both the UN Secretary-General and Ms. Olgin at the meeting we will have prior to my meeting with the Secretary-General. And I believe these are proposals and ideas that can lead us to positive developments as soon as possible.”
When asked to comment specifically on some of these proposals, the President of the Republic said, “I fully understand the media’s interest. I also want to brief the Secretary-General, and out of respect for the Turkish Cypriot leader, I will await his final position. I will discuss these matters with Ms. Olgin and the Secretary-General, and then we will see how things develop. And, of course, we are here to keep the Cypriot people informed. I believe that these new ideas from all three parties can lead us—I truly believe this—to positive developments.”
When asked whether these positive developments could occur even within the next week, the President of the Republic replied that “that will depend on the final positions taken on these ideas. These are ideas that, if the necessary political will exists, could lead to developments as early as next week. I can speak for our side. We are fully prepared. That is why we have done all this groundwork—both in preparation for today’s meeting and for the meeting with the Secretary-General and other meetings I will have in New York— I, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs—so that we can achieve what we are seeking: the resumption of talks and positive developments on the Cyprus issue. I mentioned some of these to Mr. Fito this morning—those concerning the European Union dimension—and we are working to ensure positive developments.”
When asked whether these were new proposals or whether they build upon and upgrade existing ones, the President of the Republic said that “some of them are new ideas that have not been put forward before.”
When asked whether the issue of convergence was discussed, the President of the Republic said, “I told you earlier that we also discussed the substantive issues. The substantive issues also pertain to convergence. And, yes, we put forward some very specific, new ideas and approaches on this issue as well.”
When asked whether, beyond the new ideas, there had been any progress on the issues that had been on the table for some time—whether regarding the Joint Ministerial Committee or other matters— the President of the Republic said, “We’re setting aside those issues where there are differing approaches and differing views. A dialogue on something you constantly disagree about will not lead to a result. We want results. We prepared, we submitted new ideas, but they fall under three categories. “In one way or another, some of them are related because they fall under the three categories of Confidence-Building Measures, methodology, and substance.”
When asked whether our side is proposing the opening of new crossing points, the President of the Republic said, “I don’t want to say anything publicly at this stage; it wouldn’t be appropriate. I fully understand the interest, but please allow us at this stage to focus on how we can create the conditions for positive developments.”
When asked whether today’s meeting included a discussion about the possibility of the two leaders jointly requesting a trilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General in New York, the President of the Republic said, “That will be decided by the UN Secretary-General. I don’t know if you’ve seen the communiqué. We will brief the Secretary-General on all the discussions. I can speak on our behalf. We will also submit some other ideas and views, and the Secretary-General is the one who will decide, whenever he deems it appropriate, whether to hold either a joint meeting or an expanded conference. As far as we’re concerned, we’re fully prepared, and if we need to stay in New York longer to make such a meeting happen, we’ll certainly do so.”
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