Christodoulides pledges to work for progress on Cyprus problem after meeting Erhurman

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides pledged on Thursday to do “everything humanly possible” to advance a solution to the Cyprus problem. He spoke at the sidelines of a parade marking Ochi Day, which commemorates Greece’s entry into the Second World War.

Remarks on the meeting with Erhurman

Christodoulides said the latest meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman was held in a very positive atmosphere and that the talks were constructive. He said he wished to give the Cypriot people this pledge on a day of great significance for Hellenism, expressing hope for positive developments.

The two leaders met on Tuesday. Afterwards, Christodoulides said they had “agreed not to make further statements regarding specific issues” on the Cyprus problem until at least the arrival on the island of United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin, who was due on Thursday.

Meetings with committees

Following their one-on-one talks, the two leaders also met the bicommunal technical committees on cultural heritage and on youth, along with the civil society steering committee. Christodoulides described these meetings as constructive and said committee members put forward a range of views and suggestions. He added that he and Erhurman would discuss those suggestions in the period ahead.

Proposal on Varosha and Famagusta

Before Tuesday’s meeting, Christodoulides had presented a proposal to open the fenced-off area of Varosha and resettle it under United Nations administration, and to open the port of Famagusta under European Union control. He said the plan benefits both sides and works as a practical test of whether they are truly committed to moving forward through bold confidence-building steps, which would also send a strong message to society as a whole.

Erhurman said last week that he had turned down the idea. He regretted that it did not amount to the entry into force of the European Union’s direct trade regulation. He acknowledged, however, that because the port would be under EU control, direct trade would begin.