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- The Council welcomed UN Secretary-General António Guterres' visit to Cyprus from 27 to 29 July.
- It also welcomed the appointment of Raffaele Fitto as the European Union's Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue.
- Members supported Christodoulides' efforts to restart negotiations toward a comprehensive settlement.
- The government said its goal remains substantive talks from 2017, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.
Cyprus’ National Council has reaffirmed its support for efforts to restart Cyprus talks, following a meeting chaired by President Nikos Christodoulides ahead of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit to the island from 27 to 29 July.
According to the joint communiqué released by Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the President briefed political leaders on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue since the Council’s previous meeting on 22 June.
The National Council welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s upcoming visit, describing it as tangible evidence of his personal commitment to efforts aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem.
It also welcomed the appointment of European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as the European Union’s Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue.
While respecting the long-standing positions of the political parties, members of the National Council expressed support for the President’s efforts to restart negotiations toward a comprehensive settlement.
Focus on UN visit and renewed negotiations
Following the meeting, Letymbiotis said the President had updated members on diplomatic contacts and preparations for the UN chief’s visit, which will be the first by a UN Secretary-General to Cyprus in 16 years.
He described the visit as highly significant both symbolically and politically, saying it reflects Guterres’ objective of convening an expanded conference that could pave the way for the resumption of substantive negotiations from the point where they ended at Crans-Montana in 2017.
Letymbiotis said the National Council once again demonstrated its role as the institutional forum for discussing developments on the Cyprus issue and stressed the importance of unity at a critical moment.
He added that unity does not require identical views but demands responsibility, calm judgement and awareness of the historic responsibility shared by all political forces.
Government highlights EU involvement
The Government Spokesperson said Guterres’ personal engagement and the time he has invested in the process show that he believes there is scope for progress.
He also pointed to the increased involvement of the European Union, highlighting the appointment of Raffaele Fitto as a major development resulting from Cyprus’ diplomatic initiatives.
Letymbiotis acknowledged the challenges posed by what he described as Turkey’s long-standing intransigence but said the Republic of Cyprus would continue approaching discussions with clear positions, documented proposals and political will.
Commitment to agreed UN framework
The Government reiterated that its objective remains the resumption of substantive Cyprus talks from where they stopped in 2017, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement based on the agreed framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Letymbiotis said the solution must provide for a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality, fully compatible with EU principles, values and law.
He also said Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín’s meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would be important in determining whether an expanded conference can be convened soon.
According to Letymbiotis, Cyprus is ready to participate in such a conference immediately, while insisting that any proposals falling outside the UN Security Council framework would be rejected.
He added that President Christodoulides will meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday to coordinate positions ahead of Guterres’ arrival.
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