President Nikos Christodoulides is expected to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen next week, as Cyprus seeks to ensure that Ankara’s demands from Brussels remain linked to progress on the Cyprus problem.
The planned meeting follows contacts between EU leaders and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington intends to lift sanctions on Turkey and reconsider its access to F-35 fighter jets.
Meeting with von der Leyen
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said arrangements were being made for Christodoulides and von der Leyen to meet next week and assess the outcome of the European Union’s discussions with the Turkish leadership.
The two had already spoken by telephone before the EU contacts in Ankara, focusing on Turkey’s obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus and the need to maintain the link between EU-Turkey relations and efforts to resume Cyprus negotiations.
Letymbiotis said this was not simply a position promoted by Nicosia, but was reflected in the European Council conclusions of April 2024, which set out a gradual, proportionate and reversible approach towards Turkey.
“Turkey must overcome its own intransigence,” he said, arguing that the next steps in both EU-Turkey relations and the Cyprus process depended largely on Ankara’s political will.
Cyprus talks depend on Ankara
According to the spokesperson, the Greek Cypriot side is prepared to participate immediately in an informal multilateral meeting aimed at restarting negotiations within the agreed United Nations framework.
He said Greece, the European Union, the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy had also expressed readiness for such a meeting.
However, Letymbiotis cautioned that the EU contacts in Ankara would not necessarily result in an immediate decision on whether or when the informal conference would be convened.
“The European perspective is perhaps the most important instrument available to influence Turkey,” he said, adding that Ankara was seeking several benefits and concessions from the EU.
He also noted that the participation of a non-EU country in the SAFE defence financing instrument requires the unanimous approval of member states. Cyprus would therefore have a direct say in any potential Turkish involvement.
Nicosia monitors closer US-Turkey ties
The government is also closely following the rapprochement between Washington and Ankara, particularly Trump’s announcement that US sanctions on Turkey would be lifted and that a possible F-35 sale would be considered.
Letymbiotis urged against premature conclusions, noting that no final decision on the fighter jets had yet been announced.
He said Cyprus continued to raise the need to uphold international law in its discussions with all partners, including the United States, with which it has developed a strategic relationship.
The spokesperson criticised Ankara for seeking a stronger role in the Eastern Mediterranean while, in his words, applying double standards over international law and human rights.
Turkey has occupied the northern part of Cyprus since 1974.
Government rejects nationalist motive in assault
Letymbiotis also responded to comments by the Turkish Cypriot leader concerning the recent assault of a Turkish Cypriot in the government-controlled areas.
He said the investigation and arrests made so far had produced no evidence of nationalist or similar motives.
The government condemned all forms of violence, he added, while warning against statements or insinuations that could undermine peaceful coexistence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Public statements, he said, should support the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to create a positive climate and bring the two sides back to negotiations.
