Parties’ Positions Presented To Guterres

Fileleftheros wrote that the written positions submitted by both sides and included as annexes to Guterres’ report are expected to shed sufficient light on the intentions and tendencies of the parties ahead of a new round of contacts.

According to the paper, the document submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side reflects an effort to strike a balance between Ankara’s proposals and the intentions of President Tufan Erhürman, while insisting that substantive negotiations can only begin once four preconditions are met.

The newspaper claimed that the document is more detailed than what has been made public, and that it underlines the need to reaffirm political equality, including rotating presidency and effective participation, with at least one positive vote.

Noting that a positive vote amounts to a veto, the paper wrote that the Greek Cypriot side had accepted the concept of a positive vote at Crans-Montana, but that disagreements remain over where and when it would apply.

Fileleftheros further reported that the document stresses that the convergences which paved the way for the Crans-Montana talks would not be renegotiated, while insisting on a timetable — and therefore arbitration. It added that the document states that if, despite all efforts, the process does not conclude successfully, Turkish Cypriots cannot once again be condemned to the status quo, implying that recognition would then be sought.

The paper said the document also refers to the meeting held on 11 December between President Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, in the presence of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguín, noting that a step was taken while avoiding reference to the form of a solution.

According to Fileleftheros, the document also refers to the embargoes in place, blaming the Greek Cypriot side, and makes specific mention of the refusal to grant “Republic of Cyprus” citizenship to children born of mixed marriages.

The report added that Christodoulides, in his own document, responded to claims of embargoes by noting that the value of Green Line trade reached €11.83 million by the end of October 2025, maintaining a strong upward trend in recent years.

The newspaper wrote that Christodoulides’ submission also outlines unilateral measures announced in favour of Turkish Cypriots, while accusing Turkey of undermining the conditions necessary for the resumption of negotiations.

According to the report, Christodoulides claimed that Greek Cypriot properties are being “usurped”, that military infrastructure and capacity in the TRNC are being developed, that decisions regarding Varosha are not being implemented and that efforts to open more areas in Varosha continue, while also alleging that Turkish troops are advancing into the buffer zone.

Fileleftheros reported that Christodoulides reiterated his objective of reaching a mutually agreed solution on a federal basis, to be endorsed by the UN Security Council.

The paper also wrote that Christodoulides referred to the Greek Cypriot administration’s assumption of the EU Council Presidency, recalling steps taken to bring Turkey closer to the EU. He cited the participation of Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in August 2024 and the Gymnich meeting in May last year, as well as the participation of Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay in informal meetings of EU affairs ministers in Warsaw and Copenhagen in September last year.

Christodoulides reportedly argued that these developments demonstrate, both symbolically and in practical terms, that an alternative paradigm in relations between the two sides is possible and mutually beneficial.

According to the report, he also noted that the Greek Cypriot administration did not block Turkey’s candidacy for the OSCE Secretary-General post and that Southern Cyprus is a candidate for the OSCE Chairmanship in 2027.

Christodoulides was quoted as saying that efforts would continue to create conditions of mutual benefit for all parties within the framework of EU–Turkey relations, expressing hope that Turkey would demonstrate the same spirit.