Christodoulides: "I Am Cautiously Optimistic…It Will Be a Long Summer"

According to Sigmalive, Christodoulides made the remarks after meeting UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin on Thursday morning.

Asked whether Holguin’s comments suggested optimism, Christodoulides said the meeting had been “very good” and “significant.”

He said developments had begun following the UN Secretary-General’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his own meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Brussels. Preparations are now under way for an expanded conference where the resumption of negotiations is expected to be announced, he added.

Describing himself as “cautiously optimistic,” Christodoulides said he would meet Holguin again later this week.

He also noted the importance of Holguin’s planned visits to Turkey, Greece and Brussels before returning to Cyprus, adding that he intends to convene the National Council next week as work on the process continues.

‘It Will Be a Long Summer’

Asked about the timing of the conference, Christodoulides said: “I want to be honest. Yes, we have discussed some dates, but it would not be right for me to disclose them. I have sounded out some possible dates. It will be a long summer.”

‘We Must Achieve a Positive Outcome’

Responding to a question on whether he had proposed ideas such as a framework document that could pave the way for a new process, Christodoulides declined to discuss details.

“The important thing is the result. We must achieve a positive outcome,” he said, adding that this is also the objective of the United Nations.

He stressed that discussions have consistently focused on the substance of the Cyprus issue and its core chapters, saying that “substantive issues are very important.”

Asked whether the UN Secretary-General would prepare a negotiating document, Christodoulides again declined to elaborate, noting that the Secretary-General operates within the framework of his mandate from the UN Security Council.

On whether an expanded conference remains a target for this summer, Christodoulides said his side is ready at any time and that efforts will continue throughout the summer months.

Asked whether developments could emerge by late July or early August, he said the key issue is not the exact timing but reaching the goal itself.

Commenting on the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Holguin and President Tufan Erhürman, Christodoulides said the issue had not been discussed but that he would be ready to participate if such a meeting were proposed.