Averof Neophytou criticises Christodoulides over Cyprus talks as he turns to 2028 election

Nicosia, Cyprus. Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou opened his 2028 presidential election campaign on Tuesday by criticising President Nikos Christodoulides’ approach to the Cyprus problem. He warned that Christodoulides may be the “only president not to negotiate” with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart on a solution.

Criticism of the approach to talks

Neophytou cited United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin’s statement on Monday that “the favourable window of opportunity … is gradually closing”. He said “great visions do not fit in divided homelands” and that he had warned from the floor of parliament for about a year that “we must not become trapped”.

He said national interests and the country’s future must be protected, but argued that, after five years, contradictory statements that briefly make headlines were not enough. He also said the opposition was offering no counterargument.

Neophytou questioned why Christodoulides had convened the National Council to explain 19 new ideas he had submitted when the proposal was to resume talks where they left off in Crans-Montana.

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman had criticised the 19 points on Monday, calling them “throwing a spanner in the works”. He said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had already called for progress on seven issues before an enlarged meeting. Erhurman argued that replacing those issues with 19 points, and potentially adding more later, would not lead to a solution.

Dinner and the 2028 election

Earlier in his speech, Neophytou addressed allegations that plans for the 2028 election had been made during a meal he attended at a fish tavern in Nicosia.

He had said on Monday that he dined with “the closest of the closest of associates” of incumbent Disy leader Annita Demetriou. According to Neophytou, he was told that if he helped Demetriou secure re-election as House president in June, the party would “march united behind” him in 2028.