Christodoulides Dismisses Claims of Turkey's Alleged Shift in Cyprus Policy

During an event organized by DIPA, when asked by journalists whether the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed a 3+1 or 5+1 conference for the Cyprus issue, Christodoulides expressed his dissatisfaction and profound disappointment. Without delving into the substance of the issue or whether it was genuinely discussed within the Council, he stated, "While we discuss and reach agreements on some matters within the National Council, some do not adhere to these agreements. Whether this reflects a level of seriousness, I leave it to the judgment of the people."

When questioned about any change in Turkey's rhetoric regarding the resolution of the Cyprus issue, Christodoulides emphasized that there has been no such change so far. He indicated that their efforts aim to resume negotiations from where they left off.

"We are also working together with the EU, and significant EU countries like Germany play an essential role," said Christodoulides. "Commission President Ursula von der Leyen informed me earlier that she will visit the island on May 1 to attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' EU accession. I believe her presence here sends an important message regarding the Cyprus issue."

Responding to the assertion that Turkey supports equal sovereignty instead of two states, Christodoulides stated, "There is no such thing. There are no such messages from Turkey. I do not know who said these things, why they were said, or what their objectives are." He dismissed them as manipulation, adding, "I do not concern myself with manipulation. There is no difference between equal sovereignty and two states."

Furthermore, when asked if he received any messages from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during his recent visit to Ankara, Christodoulides stated that they maintain continuous contact and that he would receive information on the outcome of the discussions. He denied receiving any messages from Rutte concerning his trip to Ankara and emphasized their ongoing communication.

Meanwhile, AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanu evaluated the National Council meeting during an interview with Astra radio. Stefanu claimed that AKEL reiterated its energy-centered positive agenda proposal for the Cyprus issue, which could unlock negotiations or at least reveal the critical juncture, asserting, "Stagnation inevitably leads to the confirmation of partition."

In another news segment, the ongoing changes regarding former Greek Cypriot properties in North Cyprus were highlighted. The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ersin Tatar's statement that property issues could only be resolved through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) was emphasized. The newspaper noted that Greek Cypriot property owners, out of desperation, have sold their properties for ten percent of their value, with approximately 7,473 applications made to the IPC, of which 1,502 have been resolved, resulting in nearly £500 million paid to Greek Cypriots. The publication highlighted the transfer of ownership of these properties to Turkish Cypriots, underscoring the consequence of the rejection of the Guterres Framework, as during its proposal, the right of reply was given to the user rather than the owner.