President Nikos Christodoulides said he is not disappointed by the joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín.
He said he submitted a specific and comprehensive proposal. The proposal addresses both the substance of the Cyprus issue and confidence-building measures. According to the President, it shows the Greek Cypriot side’s political will to restart the process.
Reaffirming the agreed basis for a solution
Christodoulides said the first pillar of his proposal is a clear reaffirmation of the agreed solution basis. This is grounded in UN Security Council resolutions and political equality.
He referred to the joint statement of 11 December. He stressed that political equality has already been settled in that text. The Greek Cypriot side does not dispute it.
UN role and recording of convergences
The second pillar concerns the role of the United Nations. Christodoulides said the UN should record and present the convergences achieved up to Crans-Montana.
He explained that convergences on internal issues should be shared between the two communities. They should remain in the document where agreement exists. Convergences on external issues should go before all five participants and remain only where unanimity exists.
Extended conference and formal restart
At the third stage, Christodoulides proposed an extended conference. The proposal is based on the document of convergences and divergences.
He said the UN Secretary-General should convene the conference. Its aim would be to officially announce the restart of negotiations on the agreed framework.
Crossing points and unilateral measures
Christodoulides referred to the opening of four new crossing points. These are Kokkina, Louroutzina, Mia Milia and Athienou-Aglantzia. He said the proposal had already been submitted at the extended meeting in July.
He also said he is ready to announce additional unilateral measures. These would benefit Turkish Cypriots and fall within the same framework.
Talks to continue
The President said discussions will continue even without Ms Holguín. He added that he proposed a meeting between the two negotiators within the next two weeks.
“The effort continues with one sole objective,” he said. “The restart of negotiations.”
“There is a ready document of convergences”
Christodoulides said a completed document already exists. It uses colour coding to show each side’s positions and the agreed points.
He said the document proves the Greek Cypriot side’s readiness and seriousness. He expressed hope for positive developments.
Readiness and objections on crossing points
On crossing points, the President said he is ready today to open Mia Milia and Limnitis.
For Athienou-Aglantzia, he acknowledged objections. However, he said he is ready to accept the UN Secretary-General’s proposal, as presented in July 2025.
“The joint statement is clear”
Christodoulides said the joint statement of 11 December is clear and binding.
He stressed that it is not a personal statement. It is also not a statement by Ms Holguín. He said it is a joint agreement. Political equality is defined exactly as set out in UN resolutions.
Also read: Ongoing Christodoulides meeting with Erhürman – “Four issues resolved”
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