President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides chaired a meeting of the National Council at the Presidential Palace on Monday, where he briefed political leaders on his recent contacts with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the next steps in the Cyprus talks process.
Government Spokesman Viktoras Papadopoulos said after the meeting that the President provided a detailed update on his bilateral meeting with Guterres, as well as meetings held in the presence of Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
Christodoulides also informed National Council members about the visit of the European Union’s Special Representative for the Cyprus issue, Commission Vice-President Fitos, which followed the UN Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus.
UN-backed effort aims for expanded conference
Papadopoulos said discussions focused on the steps already underway following Guterres’ visit, with the aim of reaching an expanded conference announced by the UN Secretary-General.
He described as “very positive” Guterres’ clear reference to continuing efforts within the framework of the United Nations, based on previous convergences and the acquis of earlier negotiations.
According to Papadopoulos, the reference to completing “the final mile” indicates that efforts should continue from where negotiations stopped in summer 2017.
He added that Christodoulides informed the National Council that he would remain available throughout August for contacts with the UN, its Secretariat and representatives of the Secretary-General.
Focus remains on resuming negotiations
Asked whether it was realistic for the UN to record convergences before the UN General Assembly, Papadopoulos said the UN has a specific plan and that Guterres considers the remaining timeframe realistic enough to prepare an expanded conference and restart negotiations with prospects of success.
Regarding whether preparations are focusing on confidence-building measures, recording convergences or a possible new meeting between Christodoulides and Erhürman, Papadopoulos said the main objective of the UN effort is to ensure the expanded conference produces a concrete outcome.
“That outcome is the resumption of negotiations,” he said, adding that confidence-building measures can help create a positive climate but are not a prerequisite.
President open to further meetings
Asked whether Turkey has given a positive response on issues beyond the convening of an expanded conference, Papadopoulos referred to Guterres’ statement that he had received the green light from all sides to convene the meeting.
He said the UN Secretary-General would determine when preparations had reached a point that could lead to a successful outcome.
Papadopoulos acknowledged that difficulties remain but said they were not due to the Greek Cypriot side.
“The Greek Cypriot side has the political will, even if negotiations were to resume tomorrow,” he said.
Commenting on Erhürman’s proposal for weekly meetings with Christodoulides, Papadopoulos said the President is ready to take any action that could contribute to the goal of restarting negotiations and resolving the Cyprus issue.
Also read: National Council meeting ends after 2.5-hour session
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