Nicosia, Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side has suggested a specific date for a new meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Friday. He said no response has been received so far from the Turkish Cypriot side.
Proposed meeting date and response awaited
Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot side is waiting for a response, and that once the meeting is set there will be relevant announcements.
Response to Erhurman’s criticism
Asked about Erhurman’s recent comments describing Christodoulides’ statements on Greece’s independence day as “inconsistent, unfounded and unserious,” Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot side would not enter into a public confrontation or negotiate publicly. He said the Greek Cypriot side would continue to refer to international law, the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, and what he described as self-evident in any other state.
Position on Cyprus settlement and negotiations
Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot side remains committed to the United Nations secretary-general’s efforts for a definitive resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by UN Security Council resolutions. He said that if there is political will, the Greek Cypriot side is ready to return to substantive negotiations and that public statements should reflect a commitment to progress.
Initiatives and UN engagement
Letymbiotis said initiatives by Christodoulides since taking office demonstrate a commitment to resuming negotiations, and that the Greek Cypriot side would continue to pursue substantive dialogue and present its arguments and positions in line with international law.
UN envoy schedule and Guterres’ timeline
Asked about the possibility of UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin returning to the island, Letymbiotis said her schedule would be made public by her and the United Nations. He also said Christodoulides has stated that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wishes to make the most of the time remaining until the completion of his term, calling it a positive development that the Greek Cypriot side welcomes and will support.
What do you think would help move substantive negotiations forward between the two sides?
