President Nikos Christodoulides expects a date to be set for a trilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General following his return from the Philippines, as Nicosia awaits arrangements for the next stage of the Cyprus talks.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the informal EU summit in Dublin, Christodoulides said he hoped the meeting would deliver progress on confidence-building measures, methodology and substantive issues, as well as a specific date for an expanded conference.
The aim, he said, is to resume negotiations within the agreed framework, from where they broke off at Crans-Montana.
Two objectives for the trilateral meeting
Christodoulides said he had discussed the trilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General during his visit to Turkey. He expects a date to be arranged after the UN chief returns from the Philippines.
The President said the meeting should have two objectives: further positive developments and announcements on confidence-building measures, methodology and substance, alongside a specific date for the expanded conference.
He said the conference should pave the way for the resumption of negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted at Crans-Montana.
EU envoy’s visit to Ankara
Asked about the planned visit to Ankara on 20 November by European Commission Executive Vice-President and EU Special Representative for Cyprus Raffaele Fitto, Christodoulides said he was optimistic.
He said he had a “very good” telephone conversation with Fitto on Thursday, following his own discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turkey.
Christodoulides said the direction was clear: the EU and Cyprus want to see positive developments in EU-Turkey relations, but stressed that these could only come about if there was progress on the Cyprus issue, rather than through broader developments alone.
He added that he remained in regular contact with Fitto and would speak to him both before and after his visit to Turkey.
GSI cable surveys continuing despite Turkish reactions
Christodoulides also addressed Turkish reactions to the work of the research vessel involved in surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the planned electricity link.
He said he had spoken on Thursday with the French President and the Greek Prime Minister about the issue.
“Beyond what could be described as a verbal action by Turkey, the surveys relating to seabed mapping are continuing normally,” he said, adding that the situation was being monitored in cooperation with France and Greece.
The President said he had also raised the matter with the President of the European Commission, given the project’s significance as a European project of common interest.
He noted that the EU has provided a grant of €657 million and said further European funding had not been ruled out.
For now, he added, the seabed surveys are proceeding as planned.
Also read: Students hold anti-occupation rallies against Cyprus’ division
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
