Nicosia, Cyprus. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Thursday that Turkey is the only party that must demonstrate a constructive intention regarding the next steps on the Cyprus problem. He said consultations are continuing both publicly and behind the scenes under the auspices of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Ongoing consultations under UN auspices
Letymbiotis said consultations are taking place both behind the scenes and in public and are ongoing under Guterres’ direct auspices. He said the only party that must show a constructive disposition and a constructive will for progress on the Cyprus problem is “occupying Turkey”.
Reference to EU-Turkey joint declaration
He referred to the joint declaration signed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, which declared support for Guterres’ efforts. He also referred to statements by UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin on the Cyprus problem.
Letymbiotis said the government welcomed the fact that Holguin also recognises the role the European Union can play in the effort, noting that her remarks came one day after the joint declaration. He said the timing of both statements was of particular and exceptional importance.
Commitment to resuming negotiations
He said Holguin had stated that Guterres “remains fully committed” to efforts to secure a resumption of substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem. He added that the Greek Cypriot side is in constant consultation with all parties, the UN, and the EU.
Contacts expected at upcoming summit
Letymbiotis said next week’s Nato leaders’ summit in Ankara will provide an opportunity for important contacts. He noted that European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Guterres are expected to attend.
He added that the summit will be hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and attended by the leaders of Cyprus’ other two guarantor powers, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Goal of an informal multilateral meeting
Letymbiotis said the goal remains to contribute in every possible way to the convening of an informal multilateral meeting this summer, as Holguin stated during her last visit to Cyprus.
He said the conference, commonly referred to as an enlarged meeting and involving the island’s two sides, its three guarantor powers, and the UN, should aim to announce the resumption of negotiations with a view to the definitive resolution of the Cyprus problem.
