President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that his government is prepared for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, while also laying the groundwork for a broader conference aimed at resolving the decades-long Cyprus dispute.
Speaking at a ceremony for Epiphany celebrations in the coastal town of Agia Napa, Christodoulides expressed hope for reunification efforts to yield results in 2025. “I hope we can reunite our country and end the occupation so that we can celebrate Epiphany in a free Famagusta,” he said.
Christodoulides noted that his government is actively working to create momentum for restarting negotiations. “From our side, we are ready and hopeful for tangible progress. Time works against the resolution of the Cyprus issue, creating new faits accomplis,” he said, referring to ongoing developments in the occupied northern part of the island.
The President indicated optimism about the renewed interest in the Cyprus talks, with a possible conference in March. “Preparations for an expanded conference are already underway, and I hope that it will lead to the resumption of substantive negotiations this spring,” he added.
When asked whether a date has been confirmed for his meeting with Tatar, Christodoulides said he was awaiting formal confirmation from the United Nations. “We’ve proposed dates, and public remarks suggest agreement, but we await official notification. From our side, we are ready at any time,” he said.
Concerns Over Regional Maritime Disputes
Addressing reports in the Turkish press about potential maritime boundary agreements between Turkey and Syria, and Turkey and Lebanon, Christodoulides urged caution. “It’s crucial to approach such reports with skepticism, particularly when they come from Turkish sources,” he said, adding that such actions are seen as illegal by Cyprus and have been raised at the European Council.
He stressed the importance of discreet diplomacy, citing Turkey’s past maritime deal with Libya. “We are taking all necessary actions to prevent similar unlawful agreements, but these efforts are better conducted away from the spotlight,” he said.
Christodoulides declined to comment in detail on the prospect of delineating an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Greece and Cyprus, saying, “The less we say publicly on this matter, the better.”
