cyprus negotiations — cyprus negotiations — An expanded conference on the Cyprus issue is necessary to achieve meaningful progress and resume substantive negotiations, according to government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis. During a recent briefing at the presidential palace, Letymbiotis emphasised the importance of including all relevant parties in the discussions to facilitate a productive outcome.
He stated, “We believe that the convening of an expanded conference, precisely because of its composition, is necessary, will be essential for achieving progress and for the resumption of substantive negotiations.” This call for a broader dialogue comes as Cyprus seeks to rekindle discussions that had stalled since the last significant negotiations in Crans Montana in 2017.
Letymbiotis expressed the government’s readiness to participate in such a meeting, stating Cyprus could attend “even next week.” He reiterated the objective of resuming negotiations from where they left off, highlighting the need for the presentation of positions, arguments, and opinions to reignite the conversation.
The push for an expanded conference follows comments made earlier this week by President Nikos Christodoulides. He suggested that a new initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres could lead to pivotal developments regarding the Cyprus issue by the end of the year. This initiative reportedly stemmed from Guterres’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with potential for establishing a concrete settlement framework.
Christodoulides also mentioned that UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin is expected to return to Cyprus in early June, paving the way for the anticipated expanded conference during the summer months. The government appears optimistic that these diplomatic efforts could yield significant progress.
Responding to statements from the north’s ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel, who has rejected a federal settlement in favour of a two-state solution, Letymbiotis stressed that there could be “no deviation” from the framework established by international law and United Nations resolutions. He underscored the widespread consensus among the international community that any future discussions must adhere to these established principles.
“It is self-evident for the entire international community that there cannot and will not be any deviation from what is determined by international law,” he asserted, reinforcing Cyprus’s position in ongoing negotiations.
Letymbiotis further affirmed that Cyprus “was, is and will remain” a member of the European Union following any potential settlement, indicating a commitment to maintain its EU status in the face of evolving discussions.
In light of the complexities surrounding the negotiations, the government has vowed to avoid public confrontations and focus on constructive collaboration with the UN. This collaborative approach aims to foster a positive environment conducive to renewed negotiations and a viable settlement for the long-standing Cyprus issue.
