President Nikos Christodoulides expressed his expectations for Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman to confront challenges at their upcoming meeting. This meeting is set for Friday afternoon, and Christodoulides suggested that some individuals are attempting to create problems as they approach this significant discussion.
- “I see a tendency on the part of some to create obstacles to this great effort,” he remarked, demonstrating his concern regarding the challenges ahead.
- In closing, he conveyed his anticipation that Erhurman would adequately respond to these obstacles, affirming the importance of demonstrating readiness and unity in their approach to the discussions.
In an interview with journalists, the President highlighted the re-engagement of United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin in the ongoing efforts regarding the Cyprus issue. He noted that he spoke with Holguin on Thursday, indicating her active role in facilitating dialogue.
“She has always been a protagonist in this effort, on [UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’] behalf. She also had a meeting with [Guterres] on the Cyprus issue, but this effort is being strengthened even more following [Guterres’] meeting with the Turkish president [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] and the meeting I had with [him] in March,” Christodoulides stated.
When asked how the UN’s commitment would be reinforced, he explained that meetings are commencing with a clear and substantive agenda. The goal is to pave the way for an enlarged meeting, which would likely announce the resumption of negotiations.
Christodoulides also addressed the recent decision by Turkish Cypriot authorities to revoke permission for a pilgrimage to the Armenian Sourp Magar monastery scheduled for this weekend. He mentioned this issue alongside other pressing matters that would be discussed during the meeting.
“I see a tendency on the part of some to create obstacles to this great effort,” he remarked, demonstrating his concern regarding the challenges ahead.
In closing, he conveyed his anticipation that Erhurman would adequately respond to these obstacles, affirming the importance of demonstrating readiness and unity in their approach to the discussions.
