Akel called on President Nikos Christodoulides to convene a National Council meeting and brief political parties on the UN Secretary-General’s proposals for the Cyprus problem, which Christodoulides has already accepted.
President Nikos Christodoulides hopes that Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar will respond positively to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ proposals on the Cyprus problem.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou stated that the government can see signs of a potential solution to the Cyprus problem in the near future.
Ankara has been trying to derail the ‘Amaltheia’ plan by seeking to sabotage any planning involving the Republic of Cyprus, with Turkish officials making arguments against the Cyprus maritime corridor. However, Washington has supported the Cypriot initiative and ignored Ankara’s attempts to persuade Arab governments that Cyprus is involved in transferring weapons to Israel. Turkey has also resorted to providing its own humanitarian assistance to Gaza in an attempt to block the maritime corridor. Despite this, ‘Amaltheia’ has received international support. Washington is attempting a rapprochement with Ankara, with Turkish President Tayip Erdogan scheduled to visit the States on May 9th. Cyprus has proven to be a trustworthy and reliable asset in the region.
Fact: The Turkish Cypriot pro-solution camp believes that any new Cyprus negotiation process should have predetermined timeframes and clear consequences of failure to have a chance of success.
Russia vetoed the renewal of the panel of experts monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea, signaling a grim future for sanctions enforcement. Russia and China have denied breaking sanctions and have blocked new measures at the UN Security Council. Russia’s veto highlights its deepening ties with North Korea and its violation of sanctions by buying conventional arms. The end of the panel could lead to more evidence of sanctions violations being released to the public. Russia’s veto suggests it does not want its illegal procurement of North Korean weapons to be reported. The US and South Korea have launched a task force to prevent North Korea from procuring illicit oil, particularly from Russia.
Fact: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invited Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to meet him in New York on April 5. Tatar was unable to travel to Brussels for a meeting, so the New York meeting was scheduled instead. Tatar will inform Guterres that he does not accept a federal solution to the Cyprus problem.
The Presidents of Cyprus and Estonia noted the similarities between their countries and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as investments, cybersecurity, and shipping. They expressed strong support for the reunification of Cyprus based on a bicommunal and bizonal federation. Estonia also appreciated Cyprus’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza and supported Cyprus as a frontline member state facing migration challenges. The two countries discussed enhancing bilateral relations in various fields, including cybersecurity, digitalization, maritime, and tourism. They also emphasized the importance of continuing solidarity towards Ukraine.
The USA abstained from the first ceasefire resolution in Gaza, angering Netanyahu who wanted Washington to exercise its veto. As a retaliatory measure, Netanyahu cancelled his delegation’s trip to Washington. The ceasefire did not hold as Israel continued its attacks on Gaza. The Security Council’s decision remained on paper, similar to the situation in Cyprus in 1974. The US government claimed there was no reason to believe Israel committed acts of genocide in Gaza. The situation in Gaza is dire, with people facing hunger and desperation. The head of European diplomacy denounced Israel’s use of hunger as a “war weapon” in Gaza. Netanyahu’s actions are seen as trying to save his political career, but the international community’s response allows the occupying power to continue its actions, which is considered a crime.
Fact: The original mosque on the site was demolished in 1987 to pave the way for the construction of the current structure.