Christodoulides says Cyprus solution possible with political will

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday that he believes a solution to the Cyprus problem is possible if there is political will, adding that he believes Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman also wants a settlement.

He said he is prepared to attend an enlarged meeting involving the two sides, the guarantor powers and the United Nations, even next week.

Political will and compromises

Speaking to newspaper Yeniduzen, Christodoulides said he would not devote so much time to the Cyprus issue if he did not believe a solution could be reached.

“I have numerous domestic issues on which I could focus. The reason I am dedicating so much time to this is because I genuinely believe we can achieve it if there is the political will,” he said.

Christodoulides said he remains “cautiously optimistic” and believes Erhurman also wants a solution.

He said the two leaders do not agree on every issue and that a settlement would require compromises from all sides. He added that external factors play a more significant role and that the matter is not only in the hands of the two leaders.

Call for renewed talks

Christodoulides referred to his telephone call to Erhurman shortly after the latter was elected Turkish Cypriot leader last October, when he said, “let’s make history together”.

He said that, if the matter were entirely in the hands of the two leaders, a solution could be reached by next week, but acknowledged that the decision does not depend solely on them.

Looking ahead, he said he would seek significant progress on confidence-building measures, the methodology of a meeting and the substance of talks. The three issues had been identified by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to the island in July.

Christodoulides said progress was needed to enable the secretary-general to convene an enlarged meeting and restart negotiations.

He said such a meeting would involve the island’s two sides, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United Nations.

Differences at the negotiating table

Christodoulides said he had told Erhurman during their meeting that differences in their views were normal.

“The best way to resolve these differences, our differing approaches to the core issues, and our disagreements is to sit down at the negotiating table,” he said.