Nicosia, Cyprus. House president Annita Demetriou said on Tuesday that the two sides in Cyprus are not at the same point on the Cyprus problem and that Turkey is even farther away. She said those genuinely interested in a solution should contribute to efforts to achieve one.
Comments on negotiations
Commenting on remarks by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, who said he would not allow another disappointment to happen, Demetriou said the Greek Cypriot side was focused on resuming negotiations within the agreed framework from where they had left off so that progress could be made.
“I cannot comment on what Mr Erhurman is saying, but I am in a position to know what has been said at the National Council, to know the result of our contacts,” she said.
Call for support to a solution
Demetriou said those who are truly interested in a solution “and nothing else” must facilitate it.
She said there is mobility at this time that the Greek Cypriot side wishes to utilise to come closer to its target.
Diplomatic contacts and broader factors
Demetriou said efforts to achieve further convergence were the reason UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin held contacts with those involved and why the Greek Cypriot side had discussed the issue in Europe.
She added that not everything depends on the Greek Cypriot side and said the Cyprus problem must not be viewed unilaterally, as it is affected by developments in the region and more broadly, requiring the right diplomatic and political moves.
Meeting with the archbishop
Demetriou made the remarks after a courtesy call on the archbishop on the occasion of her re-election to the post of House president.
During the meeting, they discussed the political situation. Demetriou said “respect is a given and we are at a point where we can exchange views and serve our institutions and our roles as we should”.