Informal meeting must be "the stepping stone" for the resumption of talks, Letymbiotis says

Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, has said that Nicosia is not simply seeking a new informal meeting on the Cyprus issue, but is approaching it with a "single goal”, to become “the stepping stone” for the announcement of the resumption of talks, adding that if there is corresponding political will from all parties, this goal is achievable.

Speaking, on Tuesday, at the PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus) Conference in Washington, Letymbiotis expressed the view that Cyprus is at “a decisive moment,” underlining that Nicosia wants a new informal meeting on the Cyprus issue to serve as the springboard leading to the resumption of negotiations.

Referring to the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, Letymbiotis said that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, presented President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, with “his new initiative” last March, aimed at the resumption of talks. He noted that the intervening period was used for contacts at various levels.

The Government Spokesperson said that the goal is to convene a new informal meeting, possibly “in the last week of July or the first week of August.” As he stressed, Nicosia is not simply seeking a meeting, but is approaching it with a "single goal”: for the informal meeting to become “the stepping stone” for the announcement of the resumption of talks. If there is corresponding political will from all parties, the goal is achievable, he noted.

He said that Cyprus “is not an obstacle” to Turkey’s European path and that it does not have “a separate approach” from the other member states. “Cyprus is Europe. Europe is Cyprus,” he said, describing this reality as “one of the most important tools” of Nicosia.

Letymbiotis underlined that, despite the expansion of Cyprus’ international activity, “the top priority” of President Christodoulides "has been and remains, from day one, the Cyprus issue.” He said that Nicosia has linked the rapprochement of the European Union with Turkey to the need for progress on the Cyprus issue.

As he said, the message to Turkey is that “the road is open” for rapprochement with the European Union, but “first” steps must be taken on the Cyprus issue.

Letymbiotis stressed that Cyprus “was, is and will be a member state of the European Union,” adding that this is something Turkey “is now beginning to understand.”

Referring to Cyprus’ trajectory over the past decade, he said that particularly in Washington one can see “in the most sincere way the progress our country has made in just ten years.” He also referred to the “Amalthea” initiative, saying that it did not concern Cyprus alone, but highlighted “how important, how reliable” the country can be in the humanitarian field.

The Government Spokesperson said that, for the United States, Cyprus remains “the anchor of security in that part of the world.” As he said, this approach reflects Nicosia’s strategy, which no longer addresses its allies only by asking for help, but seeks “to be useful” to them. “First, we prove that Cyprus, although it is a small country, can rely on its credibility, its reliability, its consistency and its persistence,” he said.

Letymbiotis also referred to relations with the United States, saying that bilateral ties are at “their highest point.”

Moreover, he referred to the crisis that followed the Israeli-American-Iranian confrontation, noting that there had been “one isolated drone incident” at the British bases in Cyprus. He underlined that daily life in Cyprus continued “as usual,” but that the first 48 hours were a period during which it was not yet clear “what the real danger” was for the country.

According to the Government Spokesperson, the immediate reaction of European partners constituted “a milestone in the modern history” of the Republic of Cyprus. He said that Greek F-16s flew over Cyprus, that France, Italy and the Netherlands provided practical assistance, and that the message was clear: “The security of Cyprus is the security of the European Union.” As he said, for the first time in decades there was “a combined movement of solidarity” towards Cyprus.

Letymbiotis noted that, after the crisis, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Minister of Foreign Affairs held contacts in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Lebanon, in order to show that Cyprus is “by the side” of the countries of the region. As he said, relations with the states of the region are at “the closest period” in Cyprus’ modern history, because the country has proven that it is “useful,” “reliable” and “trusted.”

He made particular reference to the informal EU summit held in Cyprus on April 23 and 24, saying that, for the first time, leaders of countries of the region and the Gulf sat at the same table with leaders of the European Union. Cyprus, he said, acted as “a bridge between the European Union and the region,” something that has also been recognized by the United States, which now knows “the essential role” the country plays.

Referring to the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, he said that it is close to completion and that the results are “above expectations.” As he noted, Cyprus managed to produce work “not only at the geopolitical, but also at the economic level,” proving that a small country can deliver results that exceed its geographical boundaries.

The Government Spokesperson also referred to European defence policy, saying that President Christodoulides had from early on set as a priority the upgrading of Cyprus’ defence capabilities, given that “for the last 52 years” the country has been under occupation. He pointed to the introduction of the European financing instrument SAFE, amounting to “150 billion euros” for member states, noting that for Cyprus this means “more than 1.1 billion euros” for the country’s defence shielding.

In the field of foreign policy, he referred to the visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to India and to the momentum in Cyprus-India relations, saying that the progress of recent years is “impressive.” He cited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s phrase that Cyprus is “the gateway of the Middle East to Europe and the Middle East,” noting that this reflects the “enormous potential” not only in Cyprus-India relations, but also in relations among Europe, the United States, India and the Middle East.

At the same time, he referred to the signing, after 18 years, of the agreement with Lebanon on the Exclusive Economic Zone. He further highlighted the SOFA defence agreement that Cyprus has signed with France, noting that France is expected to have a significant role in Cyprus’ defence procurements.

He thanked the diaspora and the conference organizers, noting that the diaspora does not merely support the strategy of the Republic of Cyprus, but, in many cases, “leads the way.” As he said, the “3+1” format is “one of the best examples,” adding: “Continue to lead and we will continue to try.”

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.

CNA/GGA/MK/2026

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY