The outcomes of the second informal expanded meeting on the Cyprus issue are “in the right direction” the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides said, speaking at the same time of “important results”.
In statements at UN headquarters, in New York, after the meeting concluded Christodoulides also said that there could have been even better outcomes “had there been the necessary political will”.
“We see a small but significant progress, step by step, in the direction of the great goal which as the Secretary General said is the resumption of talks and the solution of the Cyprus problem,” he noted.
He also said that it is important that the next meeting between the two leaders and the Secretary General has already been set during the General Assembly high level week, but also that the next expanded meeting will take place after the “election” process in the North.
He said that until then, the efforts by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angel Holguin, will continue, both in relation to the opening of crossing points, and with regard some other ideas, floated at the meeting in New York.
Referring to the opening of crossing points, Christodoulides said that the Greek Cypriot side accepted the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal to open crossing points in Mia Milia ( Haspolat) and Louroutzina ( Akıncılar), expecting that this would be reciprocated by the Turkish side. He said that there was quite a bit of discussion about a crossing point from Athienou ( Kiracıköy )village to Aglantzia and that “some progress” was achieved, adding however that the Turkish side was not in a position today to take final decisions since it needs the consent of the Turkish army, something which is also the case for a crossing point in the village of Kokkina ( Erenköy).
The discussion continues, he said, noting that the goal set, that is to say that progress is made on the measures decided in the last informal expanded meeting in Geneva, has been achieved.
In his statements, Christodoulides thanked the UN Secretary-General, the UK Minister of State for Europe and the Greek Foreign Minister who made it clear during the discussions that they are “fully committed to the resolutions” of the UN Security Council, in reply to the position of the Turkish Cypriot leader and the Turkish Foreign Minister that there is a lack of common ground.
He also thanked the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council for sending “clear public messages in relation to the commitment of the EU and the role it may play for the resumption of talks and for a Cyprus settlement.”
Asked when he expects discussions about the core issues in relation to a Cyprus settlement, the President said that the steps that are being taken “have their own significance”, adding however that the main issue is the resumption of talks.
However, he said, it is important that the next steps have been decided, with the meeting set following the “electoral” process in the North.
In reply to another question, Christodoulides said that “today we heard nothing different from Fidan in relation to the well-known public statements from Turkey.”
He referred to a tete-a-tete he had with the Turkish Foreign Minister, following a dinner on Wednesday, which lasted for about an hour and said that they touched upon three issues, in relation to the Cyprus issue, Turkey’s Cyprus-related obligations vis-à-vis the EU and Ankara’s desire for a positive outcome in certain areas in the framework of EU-Turkey relations.
According to Christodoulides, they had a very interesting discussion and exchanged views. He also noted that it is important that this dialogue, which was absent in the past, is now taking place and that it will continue.
( Source: CNA)
