President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, emphasising the importance of a constructive approach from both sides. The meeting, taking place at the residence of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, is seen as a significant step in efforts to address issues affecting both communities on the island.
Speaking to journalists before departing the Presidential Palace, the President highlighted the importance of the meeting, which he noted had been agreed upon after persistent efforts. He indicated that he would present concrete proposals aimed at benefiting both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and stressed his readiness to announce tangible results, provided there was a positive response from the Turkish Cypriot side.
The President expressed hope that the meeting would lead to progress, noting that success would largely depend on the attitude of the other side. He underscored the importance of approaching the talks with a collaborative spirit and reiterated that his proposals addressed the concerns, priorities, and needs of the entire Cypriot population.
When asked about the possibility of a second meeting if no conclusion was reached during this session, President Christodoulides stated that his primary focus was on achieving results during the current discussions. While acknowledging the existence of alternative proposals should the situation require it, he emphasised that his intention was to secure a positive outcome, as the meeting had been actively pursued by his administration.
Commenting on whether a lack of progress in this meeting would negatively impact the upcoming informal five-party discussions, the President clarified that the two were not directly connected. However, he acknowledged that a positive outcome would undoubtedly facilitate the broader dialogue, even though it was not a prerequisite for the five-party talks to proceed.
Addressing concerns about potential setbacks, the President stressed that the proposals he would present were designed to take into account the interests of all Cypriots. He expressed optimism that the Turkish Cypriot leader would approach the meeting with a constructive mindset, which he believed would lead to significant progress. Nevertheless, he assured that his administration was prepared to manage the situation appropriately if the proposals were not accepted.
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