Christodoulides Says Elections Not An Obstacle To Talks

According to reports in Politis and other newspapers, Christodoulides stated yesterday that he is prepared to participate in an expanded meeting next week to declare the resumption of negotiations and called on the Turkish Cypriot side to turn words into action.

Speaking during the “Agia Marina” celebrations in South Nicosia, Christodoulides said: “As we promised the UN Secretary-General in New York, I am ready to meet at an expanded meeting next week and to announce the resumption of negotiations from where they left off in Crans-Montana, with full respect for the achievements of the talks. Let us all show in practice that we are ready and put statements aside.”

He emphasized that neither the EU Council Presidency of Cyprus nor the parliamentary elections in May affect this timetable in any way, reiterating that progress can be made if there is also political will from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.

“I’m sorry, this is a ridiculous argument”

Commenting on remarks by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, who suggested that the EU Presidency and the May elections make the resumption of talks impossible, Christodoulides questioned how these factors could block negotiations. “When I say that I am ready to go to an expanded meeting next week, how does this make the resumption of negotiations impossible?” he asked.

Regarding the parliamentary elections, he added: “I’m sorry, this is a ridiculous argument. This does not affect either the outcome of the elections or the electoral process. If someone is unable to participate in talks right now, they should state this clearly to the public.”

Christodoulides reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to attend an expanded meeting next week in New York or at any location preferred by the UN Secretary-General, in order to announce the restart of negotiations with full respect for past convergences.

The newspaper noted that Christodoulides described as laughable the argument that parliamentary elections or the EU Council Presidency make it impossible to resume talks on the Cyprus issue.

Comments on the crossing points

Christodoulides also commented on statements by President Tufan Erhürman regarding delays observed at the Agios Dometios (Metehan) crossing point.

He said the Greek Cypriot side has long been ready to widen the road and has completed its share of the work, while delays remain within the buffer zone. He added that they even proposed to carry out the work themselves to avoid delays.

Christodoulides claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side rejected this proposal and referred to the period when former Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar was in office.

Coverage in other newspapers

Alithia headlined its report:
“A Rift in Holguin’s Assessments – Christodoulides Describes Holguin’s View on Parliamentary Elections and the EU Council Presidency as Ridiculous.”

The paper noted that while Holguin adopted a stance of “maturation” before new talks, Christodoulides emphasized immediate readiness.

Fileleftheros ran the headline:
“Holguin Pauses – It Is Stated That Talks Cannot Be Held Until July.”

Haravgi published:
“Frozen Movement in the Cyprus Issue – The UN Sees the Need for Maturation Before New Talks – The President Says He Is Ready for an Expanded Meeting – The Argument That Elections Delay the Process Is Ridiculous.”