The European Union is poised to make a move on the Cyprus issue, following an informal meeting in New York last Tuesday.
President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking in Brussels, hinted that related announcements from the EU should be expected before the end of the year.
Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the outcomes of the New York meeting on the sidelines of the European People’s Party summit.
Von der Leyen reportedly viewed Christodoulides’s account positively and is preparing to take action to support efforts on the Cyprus issue.
We should soon expect specific announcements from the European Union, demonstrating the increased interest in restarting negotiations, Christodoulides said.
He clarified that these announcements are anticipated in 2024, after the presentations of candidate commissioners to the European Parliament.
The Cypriot President also had the opportunity to discuss the New York meeting with the German Chancellor and the Greek Prime Minister.
He expressed satisfaction with the UN Secretary-General’s commitment and persistence, stating, “We are here to strengthen this effort together with the European Union, which has a decisive role to play”.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, upon returning to the island, emphasised his own positions presented to the UN Secretary-General.
While avoiding specific comments on the informal meeting’s outcome, he appeared satisfied with the Secretary-General’s acknowledgement of the gap between the two sides’ positions.
Tatar mentioned proposing a 4+1 format meeting to the Secretary-General and noted that discussions would continue, while he rejects the involvement of Britain.
He stressed the importance of discussing the issue “in a framework before Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, motherland Turkey, Greece, and the UN”.
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