On May 13th, there will be considerable activity in Nicosia and Ankara concerning the Cyprus issue, but based on current data, no dramatic development is expected. This is because the three involved parties are investing in different axes for how the process will move forward.
The rejection of the proposal conveyed by HolguÃn for a trilateral meeting with the two leaders does not come as a surprise and was a “normal reaction” from Tatar’s side, who is working towards undermining the United Nations’ efforts.
The Greek Cypriot side continues to invest more in the European Union factor, especially after the recent European Council Conclusions.
For Nikos Christodoulides, May 13th, apart from his and Tatar’s new meetings with Olguin, is considered crucial due to the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting in Ankara.
HolguÃn, situated amidst these different approaches, spoke with Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, but chooses to exert pressure on both leaders through civil society.
The personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General wanted, on her third visit to the island, to change the format of meetings and have face-to-face meetings with the two leaders, without the presence of aides.
A format that seems to suit all sides as they will control the information that comes out to serve each one’s intentions.
Maria Angela HolguÃn Cuéllar, departing from the Presidential Palace, but after the meeting in the occupied territories, expressed hope that the leaders “listen to the people, civil society,” noting that it is also the leaders’ responsibility to listen to the citizens. She indicated that people want the process to move forward “and something to happen on the island.”
While she called on Christodoulides and Tatar to see the support of the international community.
Statements from the Greek Cypriot side (up to early evening) were made by the government spokesman, indicating the direction President Christodoulides is focusing on.
He noted that it was the first meeting after the results of the extraordinary European Council and the positive message (according to Nicosia) sent to Turkey regarding the connection of Euro-Turkish relations with progress in Cyprus.
The Presidential Palace estimates that “diplomacy should be allowed to work,” with Letymbiotis expressing hope that before the end of Olguin’s mission’s six months, the resumption of negotiations will be feasible.
However, Ersin Tatar, through his own statements, indicated how difficult it is to make the resumption of negotiations feasible within the six months. Apart from rejecting a common trilateral meeting of leaders and the UN, he emphasized that without common ground, it makes no sense for them to meet and start a negotiation process.
Tatar reiterated his position on the Cyprus issue and his terms for sovereign equality and equal international status as a prerequisite for restarting negotiations.
As he said, he reminded HolguÃn “of her responsibilities and the essence of the approval we gave,” in her mandate.
“I have clearly stated that I will not allow pressure to shift the issue or to bring the leaders to dialogue,” added Tatar. Continuing, Mr. Tatar said that he reiterated to HolguÃn “that we are immovable on this issue and will not step back. On July 5, 2024, six months will have passed. It becomes apparent that there is no common ground. What did we say? We demanded sovereign equality and equal international status. To satisfy these, some steps need to be taken. Our sovereignty must be clearly defined.”
Finally, Ersin Tatar, referring to the report that HolguÃn will prepare after her contacts on the island, expressed hope that the references will not be limited to the present phase but will go into depth over 50 years.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed dissatisfaction with the conversion of the Monastery of Chora into a mosque during his meeting with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou of the Hellenic Republic. He characterized this conversion as completely unnecessary.
Moreover, in light of his upcoming visit to Ankara, Mr. Mitsotakis referred to the importance of maintaining open channels of dialogue with Turkey, despite persistent differences.
“First of all, I want to express publicly my strong displeasure, reflecting, I believe, the feelings of all Greek women and all Greeks, about the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque,” Mitsotakis said.
“It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Constantinople itself as a crossroads of civilizations, and it is an issue that I will certainly raise with President Erdogan when I meet him,” he added.
As he noted, his upcoming meeting with the President of Turkey represents an opportunity to assess “the effort of rapprochement between Greece and Turkey, which has certainly shown measurable results at various levels.” We always approach our discussions with Turkey with self-confidence and without illusions that Turkish positions will change from one moment to the next, the Greek Prime Minister added.
