What Deputy Government Spokesman Yannis Antoniou stated
The aim of the Republic of Cyprus is for the resolutions of the Security Council and the negotiating acquis of Crans Montana to be the starting point of the new effort to restart the negotiations on the Cyprus issue, Deputy Government Spokesman Yannis Antoniou said on Saturday at KYPE.
He added that the contribution of the European Union was decisive to start a new initiative, especially in the current period, while he also highlighted the interconnection of Turkey's European perspective with the solution of the Cyprus issue.
Asked about the presence of President Christodoulidis at the recent Summit in Brussels and whether he had the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus issue in his contacts with his European counterparts, Mr. Antoniou said that the President of the Republic always makes use of his presence abroad in general , but especially in contacts with his other counterparts, to talk about the Cyprus issue, in view of the descent of Mrs. Holgin.
He further noted that the proposal of the Republic of Cyprus for a more active contribution by the EU remains on the table, noting however that the appointment of a personality by the Union has never been a condition for restarting the talks on the Cyprus issue.
"The descent of Mrs. Holgin and the examination of the ground for direct negotiations are the result of initiatives by the Republic of Cyprus. We wanted and we want to break the impasse, we believe that the contribution of the European Union was decisive to start a new initiative, especially in this difficult time with two ongoing wars", he underlined.
He added that in addition to his contacts with his European counterparts, the President of the Republic had contacts especially with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, due to the impending departure of Mrs. Holgin to Athens on Tuesday. He also expressed the appreciation that the good climate between Athens and Ankara is helpful in the whole effort, as well as the hope that there will be a tangible development now, with the desire of the Republic of Cyprus to be Ankara's "green light" to the Turkish leadership to proceed with negotiations.
Asked whether there will be another contact between President Christodoulidis and Mr. Mitsotakis in the meantime until next week's meeting, Mr. Antoniou said that there may be a new contact after Ms. Holgin's meeting with the Turkish President in Anchor.
Besides, the Deputy Government Spokesperson noted that Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos will raise the Cyprus issue at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) on Saturday, as part of the strategy of the Republic of Cyprus to link Turkey's European perspective with the solution of the Cyprus issue .
He added that it is expected to be seen whether Euro-Turkish issues will be included in the agenda of the European Council in March or at a later stage, adding that the control of Turkey's European perspective will move in parallel with developments in the Cyprus conflict.
"At this stage our pursuit is the starting point of the new effort to make the resolutions of the Security Council and the negotiating acquis of Crans Montana", Mr. Antoniou emphasized, adding that in the resolution of the Security Council on the renewal of the mandate of UNFICYP the solution basis is clearly depicted.