In an exclusive interview for HuffPost Greece, recorded in Limassol during Maritime Cyprus 2025, President Nikos Christodoulides addressed the shifting landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean. With Greece and Cyprus facing persistent challenges from Turkey over maritime zones and the planned electricity interconnector, the President fielded questions from Emi Livaniou and Terence Quick on geopolitics, security and Cyprus’s strategic priorities. He also reflected on the contribution of the shipping sector to the national economy, how he wishes history to write his legacy and lighter topics including football.
Trump and Erdoğan
“I do not see how Turkey came out ahead”
Asked whether President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gained from his meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Christodoulides was blunt.
“The American President told Mr Erdoğan that he is violating the Russian sanctions and he is indeed violating them. I can also convey a sense of dissatisfaction from Europe about the fact that European and international sanctions against Russia are being breached. Mr Trump said this publicly.”
On the prospect of F-35 fighter jets for Turkey, the President noted:
“He said we will discuss it and then he made a reference that can be interpreted in various ways in relation to elections and how one wins elections. So I do not see how Turkey is the winner.”
Cyprus talks
“We are not where we want to be, but a window is open”
On efforts to restart negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, the President said the goal remains firm despite setbacks.
“Are we where we wish to be? No, we are not. But these first important steps create hope. They leave a window open as we continue this persistent effort to achieve our objective, which is the resumption of negotiations.”
With Ankara contesting maritime claims and energy infrastructure, Christodoulides tied the electricity interconnector to strategic autonomy and energy security for Cyprus and Greece. He underlined that exercising sovereign rights, including maritime delimitation and critical infrastructure, remains non-negotiable.
Shipping’s weight in the economy
“Impressed by the ecosystem that has grown in Cyprus”
Reflecting on Maritime Cyprus 2025, Christodoulides stressed the national importance of the sector:
“I am impressed by what I saw and by all the participants I visited here, because one of our key objectives is Cypriot shipping. It is not only the Cypriot flag. The flag is very important, the registry is very important, it supports our economy in many ways. But one of our objectives is also to develop all the services related to shipping.”
He pointed to the visible results of recent years.
“We see an increased presence in Cyprus from all these shipping-related services and the results are there. The contribution to GDP has increased. For example, we had an increase in the contribution of shipping to the country’s GDP. Greek shipowners have honoured us and we are partners and fellow travellers in this major effort.”
Beyond geopolitics, the President addressed domestic criticism and how he wishes history to remember him, signalling a focus on steady institution-building and regional credibility. The interview also touched on cultural touchpoints, including football, offering a glimpse of the person behind the office without straying from the policy-heavy agenda.