President Nikos Christodoulides briefed party leaders on Wednesday on the latest efforts to resume peace negotiations since the National Council’s last meeting in early August.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said only through constructive proposals and the EU’s contribution to UN efforts can there be progress, provided there is political will from all sides. He called on the other side to “also demonstrate the same constructive attitude”.
Life after Guterres
Asked what happens post-Guterres, Letymbiotis said the terms of reference for him and every successor remain the agreed framework as defined by UN Security Council resolutions.
Seven CBMs
Asked whether the UN chief listed seven CBMs when in Cyprus in late July, the spokesperson replied that Guterres tabled a compromise proposal on crossing points “which we accepted and continue to accept today, and which unfortunately the other side has not accepted”.
On the other six CBMs referred to by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot side submitted a proposal on demining in April 2025 which has neither been accepted nor discussed by the other side.
The Greek Cypriot side also accepts the establishment of a Technical Committee on Natural Disasters “while the other side expresses reservations”.
On sports, there is an institutional framework already in place since 2013 between FIFA, UEFA, the Cyprus Football Association and Turkish Cypriot football federation, he said, noting that a friendly match was played on 19 September, and another is scheduled for October in the north.
Regarding citizenship applications, they cannot be regarded as CBMs as they are based on fundamental legal provisions, he argued.
On the negotiating acquis, Letymbiotis insisted this will not be lost, suggesting this view is also shared by the Turkish Cypriot leader.
Asked if the UN changed its approach to the ‘convergences document’, he said the understanding was that it would be given to all sides once complete, to facilitate the process towards a resumption of talks.
Bleak prospects
Speaking after the briefing, DISY leader Annita Demetriou noted the “critical juncture” the Cyprus issue was at, particularly after New York. She called for less words, more work to achieve the desired result.
AKEL leader Stefanos Stefanou argued that if Guterres fails to convene an expanded meeting, he should at least leave to his successor the convergences and negotiating acquis achieved.
ELAM’s Christos Christou called for a new strategy that “will vindicate Cypriot Hellenism and guarantee the long-term survival of future generations."
DIKO leader Nicholas Papadopoulos blamed Turkey for insisting on changing the basis of negotiations to a two-state solution, saying only the EU-Turkey track could put pressure on Ankara to agree to resume talks on the agreed UN framework.
ALMA head Odysseas Michaelides said the situation was “tragic”, warning that Turkey will achieve its aim of avoiding progress until Guterres leaves office.
Direct Democracy’s Fidias Panayiotou criticised the president on the lack of progress after a decade in or near power. "The career path he followed has borne no substantive fruit," he said.
