Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, presented in an interview with Politico a proposal to de-escalate tensions with Turkey, leveraging the country’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The key is getting Turkey to agree to let Cyprus into the Partnership for Peace program, which is seen as a first step toward NATO membership. Cyprus would then gradually remove impediments to closer cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
‘We can envision a step-by-step approach with steps by Turkey on Cyprus joining the PfP and in parallel positive steps on EU-Turkey relations, always in conjunction with the resumption of talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework, ‘ he noted.
Christodoulides said he has already discussed this proposal with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The Cyprus said that Cyprus joining the alliance is a ‘natural development’ but something that has not happened because of ‘political conditions.’ NATO members can veto a country’s bid to join the alliance and Turkey refuses to allow Cyprus in.
Referring to the EU SAFE financial instrument, Christodoulides noted that it’s ‘Turkey that has excluded itself’ from SAFE because it has not reached a security agreement with the EU. ‘There are specific conditions that should be met for SAFE participation, as in the EU accession process; it is not à la carte,’ he added.
As regards the forthcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, Christodoulides said his country is well aware of its institutional role and that he is ready to invite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the informal Council meeting, which will be held in Cyprus on April 23-24.
On the peace plan for Ukraine being pushed by US President Donald Trump, Christodoulides said this effort is, ‘not perfect, but it is important that there is a proposal on the table.’
‘Trump’s election sends a message to the EU that America cannot be taken for granted, so as EU, we must do more and cooperate more with each other in order to be able to face any challenges. That way, you are also more useful to the Americans,’ he said.
Despite not being in the alliance, Christodoulides said that Cyprus is cooperating with the U.S. so that its armaments and the organization of its national guard meet NATO standards, until the political situation allows for its membership.
As regards the Cyprus issue, he referred to his meeting on Thursday with Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman with the participation of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín.
‘On the one hand, we need to reaffirm the convergences achieved by 2017 and, on the other, to start negotiations. If there is real political will, I believe that a solution to the Cyprus problem is possible,’ he said.
Christodoulides also said that Cyprus aims to join the Schengen free-travel zone next year. ‘The goal is to be technically ready by the end of the year and then for the committee to make a recommendation to the member states in 2026.’
He also assured that ‘the free movement of our Turkish Cypriot fellow citizens across the ceasefire line will not [be] affected in any way.’
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.