President Christodoulides has confirmed that a second informal multilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue will take place in mid-July in New York, with dates already agreed but awaiting official United Nations announcement.
The format will mirror the Geneva talks, featuring an informal dinner hosted by the UN Secretary-General on the first evening, followed by expanded negotiations the next day.
Speaking on Monday, Christodoulides said the informal meeting would occur “immediately after the first fortnight” of July, whilst deferring to the United Nations for official announcements. The UN has previously expressed displeasure when either side announces meeting dates before the organisation does so officially.
When asked by a journalist whether this meant 16-18 July, the president said he had not mentioned specific dates. “I said we should wait for the United Nations. Dates have been determined and agreed upon. The United Nations will make relevant announcements,” he stated.
The timing appears significant as the talks will coincide with Cyprus’s commemoration of the 15 July 1974 coup and the 20 July Turkish invasion.
Holguín’s diplomatic contacts
Christodoulides emphasised the importance of contacts that UN envoy María Ángela Holguín will have in London and Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said Holguín would visit Cyprus before the expanded meeting, adding: “We are working towards achieving a positive outcome.”
Asked about expectations for the New York talks, given that the electoral campaign has begun in the occupied north, and noting no tangible progress on roadblocks, demining and the solar park project, the president acknowledged that the electoral process in the occupied areas “is an inhibiting factor – we must call things as they are.”
Tatar’s campaign attacks
Christodoulides said he chooses not to respond to daily statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, noting “daily attacks against me personally” that fall within the framework of the electoral campaign.
“Beyond that, the UN Secretary-General, from the moment he decides to hold an expanded meeting, certainly has some thoughts on how this process will proceed further. Therefore, I consider it important, without downplaying what you mentioned about the electoral process in the occupied areas,” he said.
EU Commissioner’s potential involvement
Regarding whether European Commission President’s Special Envoy for Cyprus Johannes Hahn will have a seat at the New York table, Christodoulides said: “Let’s wait. We’re not there yet.”
He noted that Hahn would meet with Holguín and “will speak with the President of the European Council,” recalling the letter from the Commission President and European Council President before the first expanded meeting in Geneva.
“It is a reference document for how the European Union is genuinely interested in the Cyprus issue – it proved this subsequently with the appointment – whilst also setting the framework for a potential Cyprus solution,” he said.
Turkey’s EU interest
Asked about Hahn’s meetings and potential contacts with Ankara, Christodoulides said Hahn “will not issue announcements every day about who he talks to and who he meets.”
“He knows very well what he will do. He is in direct contact with the Commission President, has a specific subject of focus, and through our approach concerning EU-Turkey relations,” he added.
Referring to Turkey’s interest regarding the European Union, he said this “was one of the basic messages that the Turkish President conveyed to the French President.”
He recalled that the Turkish president publicised that meeting, “and indeed the Turkish President referenced mid-flight that the Cyprus issue was also discussed. There is interest, at least at a verbal level in public statements – we shall see in practice.”
Within this EU-Turkey framework lies a fundamental aspect of Hahn’s work, who understands due to his previous roles, Christodoulides concluded.
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