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Three are the goals of the Greek Cypriot side during  my meetings in New York, the President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, said today, noting that the first goal concerns the creation of prospects for the resumption of negotiations. The second concerns matters pertaining to the energy sector and the third goal concerns attracting quality investments, mainly from the USA. At the same time, the President referred to a crucial week of deliberations in New York.

While briefing Media Representatives in New York today, the President of the Republic referred to the series of contacts he will have during his stay in New York as well as to those of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Constantinos Kombos, noting that these contacts aim at three goals set by the Republic of Cyprus.

The first, he said, concerns the Cyprus problem, expressing the hope that the way will be paved for the appointment of an envoy by the UN Secretary General and for the creation of prospects for the resumption of talks.

The second goal concerns the energy sector, which will also be a focal point of the meetings, due to the circumstances created at european level as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as the effort on the part of the EU to become independent as regards energy supply and create new energy paths.

He added that, further to what has been agreed upon with the Prime Minister of Israel, decisions need to be made by the end of the year, noting that this is the aim of the meetings we will have with Exxon και Chevron, so that developments can take place in 2024.

The third goal, President Christodoulides said, concerns the efforts to attract quality investments, mainly from the USA.

Moreover, he referred to the numerous bilateral meetings of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with his counterparts, as well as to the trilateral Summits at Foreign Ministers’ level to take place with his Greek counterpart, as well as with Jordan, Israel and Egypt, which aim to prepare similar meetings at Heads of State level in the immediate future.

President Christodoulides repeated the joint decision of Cyprus, Greece and Israel to include India in the cooperation mechanism.

He added that the next trilateral Summit with Jordan will take place in Cyprus before the end of 2023, and that a similar meeting with Egypt is being planned.

The President of the Republic also stated that the Republic of Cyprus will announce unilateral measures to the benefit of the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots, noting that these measures may be announced soon depending on the developments in New York.

Replying to a question, the President of the Republic said that the measures which concern the Turkish Cypriot Community have been prepared following discussions between the Greek Cypriot side and personalities from the Turkish Cypriot side, as well as from the civil society. They are measures that can be put into effect. 

Replying to another question, he said that with the USA we are working on attracting investments mainly in specific fields of interest to the US private sector.

In reply to another question, the President of the Republic said that he will have meetings with the President of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula Von der Leyen, in order for them to convey the EU readiness regarding the Cyprus problem during their meetings with the UN Secretary General.

He also mentioned that the meeting due to take place next Tuesday between the UNSG and the President of Turkey is of decisive significance, for it constitutes a meeting which will determine the Secretary General’ next moves with regard to the Cyprus problem. President Christodoulides reiterated that his own message is clear and it concerns the appointment of an envoy on the part of the UNSG who will explore the prospects for resuming the negotiations.

He added that developments may arise which do not rule out developments within the week or later.

Asked whether he is hopeful in relation to the Cyprus problem, President Christodoulides said that he hopes for the creation of developments that will allow us to be optimistic about the resumption of talks, so that we can achieve our number one priority, the solution to the Cyprus problem.

Called to comment on whether the measures for the Turkish Cypriot community are related to developments in New York, the President of the Republic said that the measures have been elaborated and will be announced, adding that it is the time of the announcement that depends on the developments.

He also mentioned that the meeting of the Prime Minister of Greece with the Turkish President is of crucial importance as well, noting that his meeting with Mr Mitsotakis will take place afterwards so as to examine the results of the meeting of the Turkish President with the Greek Prime Minister.

He expressed the view, however, that the meeting of the UN Secretary-General with the President of Turkey is most decisive in terms of how things regarding the Cyprus problem will develop.

The President of the Republic pointed out that the current situation cannot constitute the solution to the Cyprus problem, noting that our side remains committed to the basis of the agreed framework, adding that the support of the international community is important for our positions.

Asked on the issue of a joint meeting with the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish Cypriot leader, the President of the Republic said: “There is no time framework for a trilateral meeting. Our willingness is given. It may take place now, towards the end of the official week of the GeneraAssembly, or the Secretary-General may judge that it can take place at a later stage. I cannot exclude this”, he said.

Regarding the issue of Pyla, the President of the Republic said that consultations and discussions with the UN are ongoing and that there is a common understanding with the UN, noting that our aim is to have no questioning of the status of the buffer zone, and that no developments arise that will offer comparative advantages to the occupying regime.

(EP)