President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides pledged on Tuesday that the Greek Cypriot side will do its utmost for the UN Secretary-General’s efforts for a Cyprus settlement to yield results. He also noted that it is important that after so many years there is activity, as underlined by the SG himself during the Geneva meeting for the Cyprus issue last March.
The President made statements welcoming the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, in Nicosia, on an official visit. The Cyprus issue is one of the few issues on which there is consensus in the Hellenic Parliament, Kaklamanis said in his statements.
President Christodoulides also expressed the view that the outcome of the “electoral” process in the Turkish Cypriot community mid-October will be important. Asked by the President of the Hellenic Parliament if he believes that there can be a change, he replied “we will see what the outcome will be.”
He said that no one at this time can safely jump to conclusions on the outcome. He also went on to note that whatever the outcome is, Turkey is the one to take final decisions on the most serious issues regarding the Turkish Cypriot community.
Kaklamanis expressed the hope that the efforts will be successful, although he stressed that he is moderately optimistic.
President Christodoulides, in his statement before the media, pointed out that Kaklamanis is in Cyprus to attend tomorrow’s parade for the Cyprus Independence, “an important anniversary and the most important conquest of the Cyprus people as a result of the national liberation struggle of EOKA”.
The President told Kaklamanis that the Hellenic Parliament has played a decisive role in developments concerning Cyprus over time and made particular reference to the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004, “the most important diplomatic success of the Cypriot people and the Republic of Cyprus.”
He noted also that in less than 100 days Cyprus will also assume, for the second time, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, saying that this is a national challenge “that I am sure we will respond to successfully”.
President Christodoulides told the President of the Hellenic Parliament that he is visiting Cyprus at a time when there are many developments in our region, noting that Cyprus, together with Greece, through actions and not only words, prove that they are pillars of security and stability.
“We are countries that talk to all the states in the region and we are making efforts, through synergies, to prove the importance of cooperation. This is the only path via which to address common challenges,” he said.
The President also praised Kaklamanis’ political career as an MEP, Mayor, Minister and now President of the Hellenic Parliament, as well as his long-standing interventions on everyday issues with which, he said, he agrees and has the same approach.
Kaklamanis thanked the President for his very kind words, which he described as “perhaps a little excessive”. He stated that his interest in Cyprus began in the 1990s, when he was a Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Joint Committee of the European Parliament and the House of Representatives when the effort for Cyprus’ accession had begun.
He referred to his close cooperation at the time with MEP Pauline Green, who was very pro-Cyprus.
Kaklamanis also pointed out to the President that in conditions of political acrimony in Greece, “fortunately the issue of Cyprus is one of the few on which there is complete consensus in the Greek Parliament.”
He said that there may be some verbal differences sometimes for oppositional reasons, but in spite of this there is a complete consensus in views. “There is no political party in Parliament that does not identify with the established national line that has existed for years”, he stressed.
Kaklamanis said that he was informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, George Gerapetritis, about the latest developments, noting that “he has a restrained optimism.”
He also referred to a visit to Turkey under President Demirel 30 years ago, noting that what he said 30 years ago is now being repeated by now President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan on Cyprus and the Aegean.
He said that he is moderately optimistic about the discussions on a Cyprus solution, hoping that these efforts will be successful.
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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
UNSG met with the two leaders President Christodoulides and T/c leader Ersin Tatar last week in New York city. A fresh meeting will probably take place in November. In the meantime his personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin is expected in Cyprus the next weeks to prepare the new meeting.