**Nicosia, Cyprus** – President Nikos Christodoulides has unequivocally reiterated his preparedness and a meticulously charted course for the recommencement of Cyprus reunification negotiations. Speaking at Frederick University on Wednesday, the President articulated a clear vision for advancing the stalled peace process, asserting that any future discussions must build upon the existing negotiating framework and resume from the critical juncture at which they were suspended in Crans-Montana in 2017. This resolute stance underscores a commitment to leveraging past progress rather than initiating entirely new dialogues.
The President further confirmed his dedication to orchestrating an extended conference, a procedural step that has been mutually acknowledged in recent high-level deliberations. This proposed conference is intended to facilitate broader engagement and potentially bridge remaining divides. In a significant move to counter prevailing narratives, President Christodoulides firmly refuted suggestions that the protracted absence of a resolution is attributable to any unwillingness on the part of the Greek Cypriot administration to engage in equitable power-sharing or resource distribution.
A focal point of the President's discourse was the position of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership regarding a potential two-state solution. He directly challenged the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, to publicly declare his stance on this matter, stating, "Turkey’s position is clearly for a two-state solution in Cyprus, if this is Mr Erhurman’s position, he should say so publicly." This call for transparency is designed to elicit clarity on the fundamental aspirations underpinning the Turkish Cypriot side's approach to a final settlement.
The President also sought to allay concerns that external political developments might derail the peace initiative. He emphatically stated that neither the Republic of Cyprus's forthcoming presidency of the EU Council nor the impending parliamentary elections would serve as impediments to the diligent pursuit of resolving the island's enduring division. This assertion highlights a determination to maintain momentum irrespective of domestic political calendars.
These pronouncements come in the wake of ongoing exchanges and declarations concerning the Cyprus problem, including recent statements from Mr. Erhurman and the pivotal role of the United Nations envoy, Maria Angela Holguin. The UN Security Council resolutions, President Christodoulides indicated, provide a well-defined blueprint for a federated solution, a framework he advocates for adhering to. His immediate objective is to convey this preparedness and the foundational principles to Mr. Erhurman during their scheduled meeting on February 24th.
The carefully constructed approach, which prioritises the advancement of the negotiating acquis and the convening of a comprehensive conference, signals a strategic effort to set a definitive trajectory for renewed talks. By emphasising continuity and established international resolutions, President Christodoulides aims to foster an environment conducive to substantive progress. The upcoming rendezvous with the Turkish Cypriot leader is anticipated to be a crucial barometer for gauging the viability of this pathway towards a reunited Cyprus.