President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar will hold their first meeting since the informal conference in Geneva, opening a new round of consultations amidst low expectations for a breakthrough in stalled peace talks.
While the Greek Cypriot side is seeking progress based on the framework agreed in Geneva, the Turkish Cypriot side is pushing for discussions on the basis of a two-state solution, a departure from previous parameters.
Against this backdrop, hopes for significant progress from the meeting are muted, and the prospects of an agreement on the terms announced by the UN Secretary-General appear slim. However, the meeting is seen as significant in indicating the future direction of efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.
Ahead of the meeting at the residence of the UN Special Representative, President Christodoulides stated his sole aim was to achieve results, whether through confidence-building measures or other outcomes that serve the objective of resolving the Cyprus issue based on the agreed framework and the principles and values of the European Union.
Responding to questions from journalists regarding the Turkish Cypriot side’s statements suggesting no confidence-building measures would be discussed, President Christodoulides said he had heard such remarks before the Geneva meeting as well.
He reiterated that at the Geneva conference, there was a “decisive intervention” from the European Union hours before it began, clarifying the framework for a Cyprus settlement, adding that “writings remain”.
President Christodoulides emphasised that the Republic of Cyprus is an EU member state and will remain so after any potential resolution. He noted that the EU has the necessary tools to assist if there is genuine political will, particularly if Turkey wishes to see progress in its EU relations.
Asked about a specific agenda for the meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, President Christodoulides pointed out that both sides had undertaken commitments to the UN Secretary-General following the Geneva talks. These included discussing potential confidence-building measures, the appointment of a personal envoy (which he understands is in the bureaucratic process with announcements potentially this week), and a further meeting in Geneva at the end of July.
President Christodoulides expressed confidence that potential confidence-building measures in agreed areas would be discussed, stressing that these measures must serve the goal of restarting negotiations based on the agreed framework.
His remarks were seen as a response to efforts by the Turkish Cypriot leadership to steer discussions towards a “Cyprus cooperation council,” implying talks between two separate “state entities.” This proposal was put forward by Tatar at the informal Geneva conference but was not accepted. However, his continued rhetoric since Geneva indicates this remains his objective for the current meeting.
In statements in the Turkish-occupied north, Tatar said that cooperation for the mutual benefit of Turkish and Greek Cypriots could be on the agenda in the coming days, with various openings being implemented with Turkey’s support.
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