Politis: Cyprus Risks Losing Key Chance for a Settlement

Written by Andreas Parashos, the article argued that the convergences reached during the 2017 Crans-Montana talks could provide the basis for a renewed negotiation process, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his Personal Representative for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, have stressed the need for the two sides to resume direct talks without further delay.

“Christodoulides Needs to Act More Boldly”

The article argued that although Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodulides publicly says he wants a settlement, he has not acted with sufficient speed or boldness in practice.

It said the Greek Cypriot side could not preserve only the aspects of the Crans-Montana convergences that suit its position while reopening others for negotiation.

Otherwise, the article argued, it would lose the ability to tell Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side that the gains achieved in 2017 should not be altered.

“Division Is Becoming Permanent”

The article warned that continued delays were causing the two communities to drift further apart, while the Turkish Cypriot side’s economic and political integration with Turkey was increasing.

As time passes, it argued, the current division risks becoming increasingly permanent.

The article also warned that Guterres, whose term is approaching its end, could leave office without securing a return to substantive negotiations based on the convergences reached at Crans-Montana.

It argued that this could mean losing what may be the last remaining opportunity for a genuine return to negotiations based on the understandings reached in 2017.