Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday that there is a “window of opportunity” for the resumption of Cyprus problem talks before the end of the year. He said efforts to restart negotiations are continuing through consultations and contacts.
Ongoing consultations
Speaking after a meeting at the presidential palace with Indian Foreign Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Christodoulides said work to resume talks is under way. He said the aim is to reach “a positive result”.
He said UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin is continuing preparatory work ahead of her return to Cyprus. He added that discussions have been taking place through meetings and contacts away from the spotlight “so that the conditions are created to achieve the goal of resuming talks”.
UN-led effort
Christodoulides said the current phase is part of a broader UN-led effort and that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “fully committed” and “personally involved” in the process.
He said the objective is to move toward a structured process leading to the resumption of negotiations.
Timeline for talks
Responding to questions about timing, Christodoulides said talks cannot continue indefinitely. He said there is a defined opportunity period, which he linked to the completion of the secretary-general’s term by the end of the year.
He reiterated that the goal remains the convening of an enlarged meeting involving all relevant parties.