President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday that he will propose a new meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman next week, expressing hope that there will be a positive response.
Speaking upon arrival at the opening ceremony of the Judicial Year, organised by the Supreme Constitutional Court, Christodoulides said he remains in contact with UN Secretary-General António Guterres' personal envoy, María Ángela Holguín, noting, however, that she will announce the date of her next visit herself.
“Today I will also ask the Turkish Cypriot leader for a meeting to be arranged next week. I hope there will be a positive response so that we can continue a discussion that began before we travelled to New York, as well as on the basis of the data and discussions we had with the UN Secretary-General,” he said.
Seeking progress
Christodoulides said the aim is to achieve progress, stressing that there is political will and a number of ideas concerning the three issues raised by the UN Secretary-General.
According to the president, those ideas were received positively by Guterres.
For that reason, he said, he had already instructed the Greek Cypriot negotiator to contact the Turkish Cypriot side and propose a joint meeting next week.
UN leadership question
Asked about the possibility of a Turkish national becoming the next UN Secretary-General, Christodoulides responded:
“Turkey is doing its job and we are doing ours.”
He added that many scenarios and many names are being discussed beyond those currently being considered by the UN Security Council.
Working behind the scenes
The president also said that the Republic of Cyprus remains in contact with European partners and other countries while monitoring developments.
“There is nothing more for me to report at this stage. What matters is the work being done behind the scenes and not public statements,” he said.
Source: CNA
