Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides rejected a suggestion by UN Special Envoy Maria Angela Holguin that substantive negotiations could be postponed until after June, insisting that talks should resume without delay.
Interview and rejection of delay
In an interview on Saturday with Greek newspaper Ta Nea, Christodoulides said that neither Cyprus’ EU Council presidency nor upcoming parliamentary elections constitute obstacles to resuming talks.
Five-point proposal for resuming negotiations
Christodoulides said that during Holguin’s last visit to Nicosia he submitted a five-point proposal setting out a roadmap for negotiations.
He said the first step should be to reaffirm the agreed basis for a solution, as in the joint statement of December 11, with explicit reference to political equality and UN Security Council resolutions.
Second, he said the UN should record the convergences up to Crans Montana. He said internal convergences would be communicated to the two communities and maintained, while external convergences would be shared with all five participants and preserved.
Third, he said the UN secretary-general should convene an expanded conference based on that document.
Fourth, he said the resumption of substantive talks should be announced there.
Fifth, he said the opening of four roadblocks should be announced.
Crans Montana and Turkish Cypriot leadership
Christodoulides said the change in Turkish Cypriot leadership could facilitate a restart from the point where talks broke down at Crans Montana in 2017. He said the current situation could not constitute the solution to the Cyprus problem.
Greco-Turkish relations
On Greco-Turkish relations, Christodoulides said they could have a positive impact on negotiations but noted there were limitations.
What impact do you think the proposed five-point roadmap could have on efforts to resume negotiations?
