cyprus peace — cyprus peace — The European Commission has congratulated Tufan Erhurman on his election as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, reinforcing its commitment to the resumption of peace talks on Cyprus.
In a statement released on Monday, the Commission expressed its full backing for negotiations aimed at achieving a sustainable and functional settlement within the framework of the United Nations. The EU reiterated that any renewed peace efforts must adhere to the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and align with the foundational principles of the EU.
The EU is poised to play an active role in the UN-led process, employing all available means to support the various stages aimed at the reunification of Cyprus. The appointment of Johannes Hahn as the EU Special Envoy was also highlighted, with a mandate to assist the UN Secretary-General in restarting negotiations for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as per Security Council resolutions.
Erhurman’s election comes at a pivotal time, coinciding with renewed international focus on resolving the long-standing division of Cyprus, which has persisted since 1974. Akel MP Irene Charalambides reacted to the news on Facebook, stating that with Erhurman’s election, the challenging phase for the Greek Cypriot side begins.
Charalambides pointed out Turkey’s clear and targeted objectives in its foreign policy, describing Erhurman as an acceptable figure to the international community. However, she cautioned that Turkey may attempt to shift blame onto the Greek Cypriot side to further its agenda.
“Let us not forget that it already has international footholds, particularly in Europe,” she remarked, expressing doubt that such a decisive victory was achieved without Turkey’s opposition. She warned that the actions and positions of the Republic’s president will now be closely scrutinised, indicating that political manoeuvres intended for domestic purposes could lead to precarious situations.
