NICOSIA: President Nikos Christodoulides expressed his determination to reignite negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem during his upcoming trip to New York for a trilateral meeting. The President will meet with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday. This meeting is seen as a pivotal step towards resuming dialogue halted since 2017.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides outlined his intentions while speaking at a commemoration event in Astromeritis, organized by the Turkish occupied community of Morphou. He emphasized his commitment to pursuing a viable, workable solution to end the Turkish occupation and restore Cyprus as a sovereign, normal state without foreign intervention. The President stated that negotiations would pick up from where they left off in the summer of 2017, based on the previously agreed framework and respecting the principles and values of the European Union.
During his speech, Christodoulides also highlighte
d the support from the international community, including major global actors and European partners, who recognize the sincerity of Cyprus’s intentions to find a peaceful resolution. He mentioned that the informal meeting was initiated by the UN Secretary General himself, which underscores the international focus on the Cyprus issue, despite global tensions due to ongoing wars elsewhere.
The President also addressed domestic concerns, particularly those of refugees and displaced persons. He detailed government actions, including the KTIZO programme and adjustments to housing plans and rent allowances for displaced individuals, reiterating the state’s obligation to support its citizens who suffered due to the conflict.
Christodoulides concluded with a message of hope and resilience, asserting that the solution to the Cyprus problem is within reach, bolstered by Cyprus’s strategic position and EU membership. He reaffirmed the unwavering support from Greece and the broader European community, positioning Cypru
s as a crucial player in regional security and stability.
This meeting in New York marks a critical juncture in efforts to resolve a conflict that has divided Cyprus since the Turkish invasion in 1974, following a coup d’etat by supporters of union with Greece. Despite numerous rounds of UN-led negotiations, a lasting solution has remained elusive.
