The time has come to focus on the substance of the Cyprus issue, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday in Paphos, declaring his readiness to respond whenever the UN secretary general convenes a broader conference aimed at restarting talks.
Speaking on the sidelines of Epiphany celebrations, the president said the agreed objective of such a conference would be clear and singular: the resumption of negotiations from the point at which they were left off in Crans-Montana.
Positive tone from the UN
Asked to comment on the latest reports by UN secretary general António Guterres on his good offices mission and on UNFICYP, Christodoulides said he was encouraged by their tone.
“I note the positive approach of the secretary general,” he said, adding that it was the first time in a considerable period that such language had been used. He highlighted the emphasis placed by the UN on the need to engage with the core substance of the Cyprus problem.
“That is where our focus must be,” he said.
From confidence-building to core issues
The president noted that for two and a half years, discussions with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar had been limited to confidence-building measures, due to positions that prevented progress on the core aspects of the problem.
“This period did not allow us to move into substance,” Christodoulides said.
Ready for a broadened conference
Christodoulides reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side is fully prepared to participate in a broadened conference under UN auspices, whenever it is convened.
“We are ready,” he said, stressing that the sole purpose of such a meeting, as already agreed, would be to restart negotiations from where they ended in Crans-Montana.
The president underlined that the moment now calls for meaningful engagement on the substance of the Cyprus issue, rather than procedural discussions.