Christodoulides says there is no alternative to Cyprus settlement ahead of Erhurman meeting

Achna Forest, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides has reiterated that there is “no other option” than resolving the Cyprus problem, saying the Greek Cypriot side is ready to resume negotiations immediately. His remarks came ahead of his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Tuesday.

Proposals for restarting negotiations

Speaking at the national refugee meeting in Achna Forest on Friday, Christodoulides said his proposals addressed issues raised by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres concerning the substance of negotiations and confidence-building measures.

He said the proposals could create the conditions for talks to resume and would form the basis of his message to Erhurman at their meeting next week.

“For us, there is no plan B, for us there is no other option than to resolve the Cyprus problem,” Christodoulides said, reiterating his commitment to “ending the occupation and reunifying the island”.

He said the Greek Cypriot side would “exhaust every opportunity to restart substantive negotiations within the agreed framework”, despite what he described as “difficulties” arising from Turkey’s position.

Political will and international support

“Fifty-two years later, the essence of the Cyprus problem remains the illegal occupation of part of the territory of a member state of the United Nations and the European Union, as well as the systematic violation of individual rights and freedoms,” Christodoulides said.

He maintained that the Greek Cypriot side had demonstrated its political will through “actions” during his three-and-a-half years in office.

He also cited support from EU institutions and member states, along with Guterres’s stated commitment to a settlement within the UN framework.

Differing views on resuming talks

Christodoulides called on the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in negotiations, saying that “all sides will be tested at the negotiating table”.

The meeting with Erhurman comes amid renewed disagreement over how to restart the process. Both sides have presented differing views on proposals and the conditions needed for substantive talks.