Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said an ongoing initiative by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres could ultimately lead to a plan for a solution to the Cyprus problem, with an expanded meeting expected in the coming months.
UN initiative and upcoming expanded meeting
Speaking to Alpha TV, Christodoulides said Guterres launched a new initiative after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and later informed him about it. He said UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin is expected to arrive in early June ahead of the expanded meeting, in which Turkey will also take part.
Possibility of developments toward a solution
Christodoulides said he believed the initiative would lead to developments and that he had a responsibility to take important and possibly difficult decisions. He said he could not say whether a solution was imminent but added that developments could be close that would lead to a solution plan.
Role of Turkey and contacts with Turkish Cypriot leader
When asked how progress could be possible given that the two sides could not agree on opening a new crossing point, Christodoulides pointed to the timing of the initiative after Guterres’ meeting with Erdogan. He said he respected Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and that they speak openly, agreeing on some issues and disagreeing on others, while adding that the key factor is Turkey.
Guterres’ focus and behind-the-scenes efforts
Christodoulides said the UN secretary-general was assuming a substantial role solely in the Cyprus problem before his term expires at the end of the year, adding that an initiative was in progress away from the public eye. He said Guterres was preparing the ground on the Cyprus problem for his successor. Christodoulides also said he was carrying out behind-the-scenes contacts, but had not met Erdogan and had only discussed the issue with Erhurman.
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