Menelau: Turkish Cypriot Side Rejected UN Proposal and Put Forward Additional Demands

Menelau said the Greek Cypriot side had proposed including the Limnia-Louroujina (Akıncılar) crossing as well as the Kokkina (Erenköy) crossing in the package, but that this proposal had also been rejected by the Turkish Cypriot side.

Speaking to Phileleftheros, Menelau said the next step in the Cyprus talks would be an expanded meeting aimed at deciding whether negotiations should resume, adding that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's latest initiative was being conducted within the framework of a federal solution.

Menelau also claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side had put forward "additional conditions" concerning the opening of new crossing points.

'Guterres' Visit Was Positive'

Asked about the view that Guterres's visit to Cyprus had not been successful, Menelau said the visit had been positive because preparations would now be made on the convergences reached within the federal framework.

He said the fact that Guterres had made these statements while Turkey continued to reiterate its two-state position was significant.

According to Menelau, the UN would now work on the existing convergences, which he said would be documented by experts with knowledge and experience of the Cyprus talks.

"The next step is an expanded meeting that will result in the reconfirmation of the convergences on the basis of this record, allowing the sides to focus on what remains unresolved and decide on the resumption of negotiations aimed at a comprehensive settlement," Menelau said.

Next Leaders' Meeting on August 26

Regarding calls for the two leaders to meet weekly, Menelau said contacts with the Turkish Cypriot side were continuing and confirmed that the next meeting between the leaders would be held on August 26.

He said the frequency of meetings was less important than the substance of the discussions and the political will to take decisions.

Menelau said preparations for the next expanded meeting would be at the centre of the leaders' discussions, with the aim of ensuring that the meeting produces a decision to resume negotiations.

'Turkish Cypriot Side Rejected UN Proposal'

Addressing confidence-building measures, Menelau said Guterres had put forward a clearer proposal during his visit concerning the opening of additional crossing points.

According to Menelau, Guterres proposed the opening of the Kırkıçöy-Gaziler-Eylence route and the Haspolat crossing as a package.

He said the Greek Cypriot side had responded positively to the proposal, but claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side had not done so.

Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot side had put forward other proposals that would complicate matters, Menelau said:

"The UN proposal was not accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side."

He claimed that additional demands had subsequently been made, including the Louroujina-Akıncılar crossing.

Menelau said the Greek Cypriot side had responded that this could be considered if its proposal to include Kokkina (Erenköy) was also accepted, allowing the sides to agree on four crossing points.

"This was also not accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side," he claimed.

'CBMs Should Not Become a Precondition'

Menelau said an agreement on confidence-building measures should not be viewed as a precondition for an expanded meeting, warning that disagreement over CBMs could otherwise be used as an excuse to prevent further steps.

He said the Greek Cypriot side wanted an agreement on CBMs and would continue to contribute to efforts in this direction.

However, he argued that substantive steps also needed to be taken, claiming that statements from the Turkish Cypriot side created the impression that CBMs were being treated as a precondition.

'Federation Is the Only Way to Reunite Cyprus'

Menelau also reiterated the Greek Cypriot side's commitment to the agreed basis of a solution and to preserving the negotiating gains and the six points of the Guterres Framework.

He said Turkey and some political circles in the TRNC continued to advocate a two-state solution, while the Turkish Cypriot side had made no reference to a federal solution since the change in the TRNC presidency.

Menelau said the Turkish Cypriot side needed to clarify its position, describing its approach to the opening of new crossing points as an attempt to delay the process.

Responding to those in the Greek Cypriot community who argue that a bicommunal, bizonal federation amounts to accepting the fait accompli created by partition and the 1974 events, Menelau said he respected all views.

He argued that then-President Makarios III had assessed the situation following 1974 and moved towards a federal settlement of the Cyprus problem, while successive presidents had remained committed to that position.

Menelau maintained that this consistency had helped achieve important objectives, including Cyprus's accession to the European Union, and had produced convergences in previous negotiations.

He cited issues including the federal government's electoral system, which he said would reflect the common will of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots through weighted and cross-community voting, as well as the EU's four freedoms and the withdrawal of troops.

According to Menelau, these achievements demonstrated that federation was not a divisive approach but "the only ambitious path" toward the strategic goal of freeing and reunifying Cyprus.