Talks on the Cyprus issue should resume from the point they were interrupted at Crans-Montana, focusing solely on the pending issues outlined in the Guterres Framework, emphasised the General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, during a meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. The two discussed, among other topics, the formation of a positive agenda towards both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. This meeting was part of Mr Stefanou’s contacts in Brussels, according to a party announcement.
President Metsola expressed to the General Secretary of AKEL’s Central Committee the European Parliament’s readiness “to contribute in any possible way to efforts for the resumption of talks and resolution of the Cyprus issue,” the announcement stated. Stefanou and Metsola agreed to stay in communication in light of the ongoing efforts and momentum aimed at restarting negotiations.
On Wednesday evening, Mr Stefanou is scheduled to participate in an event organised by the Left Group in the European Parliament, focusing on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.
During their meeting, Mr Stefanou briefed Ms Metsola on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue and the observed momentum for potential progress. According to the announcement, both Stefanou and Metsola agreed “that this momentum should lead to the resumption of talks from the point they were interrupted at Crans-Montana, negotiating exclusively on the pending issues within the Guterres Framework.”
They also discussed the issue of forming “a positive agenda towards both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community,” the announcement added.
Mr Stefanou stressed to Ms Metsola that all parties involved in the Cyprus issue must remain committed to the agreed-upon basis for a solution—a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation with political equality, as defined by relevant United Nations resolutions.
He noted that “unfortunately, the Turkish side continues to insist on positions that not only contradict UN resolutions on Cyprus and agreements between the two Cypriot sides but also leave no room to break the deadlock and restart negotiations,” as the announcement further stated.
Mr Stefanou was accompanied in the meeting by Toumazos Tselepis, head of AKEL’s Cyprus Affairs Sector, and Stelios Christodoulou, head of AKEL’s Delegation to the European Parliament.
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Source: CNA
