There are now no land mines left within the buffer zone, sources said on Saturday.Sources from the Cypriot government told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the Greek Cypriot side considers that demining has now been completed, and that the only minefields of which they are aware are located inside the Republic. Those minefields, they … Read more
President Nikos Christodoulides has been briefed about the meeting of the UN secretary general with his personal envoy. The Turkish Minister of Defence, Yasar Guler, made a provocative statement regarding the Turkish troops’ “peace operation” in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side is steadfast in requesting the resumption of talks, despite indications that negotiations may not be positive. The UNSG will also meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis to convey specific messages on behalf of the Republic. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar claimed that peace prevailed on the island in 1974 and that the Turkish Cypriots made significant gains. Turkish Cypriot MPs participated in discussions at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the issue of Varosha, claiming that the 1984 UN Security Council resolution is outdated.
Cyprus’ president is working tirelessly to overcome the obstacles posed by the Turkish side and create conditions for the resumption of talks to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. The current state of affairs is not an option for the Greek Cypriot side.
UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Holguin, is set to brief Antonio Guterres on the Cyprus issue, probably in the first half of June. President Nikos Christodoulides reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side is ready for dialogue. There has been no response from the Turkish Cypriot side so far. The most recent contact with the Turkish side was after a meeting between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Christodoulides stated that if there is a genuine interest in the resumption of talks, he should not say more, especially in public.
Ankara is key to the efforts aimed at solving the Cyprus problem, according to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis. EU-Turkey relations can play a significant role in this effort. Through dialogue, answers can be given to the concerns and worries of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Initiatives and measures are being taken to create positive conditions for the resumption of peace talks. Diplomatic efforts will continue to play a role in resolving the issue.
The Mufti’s Office of Cyprus expressed concern over increasing attacks on Muslim places of worship in Republic-of-Cyprus-controlled areas, particularly after the recent vandalism of the Albanian Mosque in Limassol. They condemned the attack and called for an end to such provocative acts, urging authorities to identify and punish those responsible. The “ministry of foreign affairs” in the occupied north accused the Greek Cypriot side of allowing attacks on mosques in the south to go unpunished, leading to a repetition of such crimes. They called for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar is “running away from the fight” for Turkish Cypriots’ rights, according to opposition party CTP leader Tufan Erhurman. The distance between the Turkish Cypriot people and Ersin Tatar is widening, and there is no plausible explanation for Tatar avoiding a tripartite meeting. Rauf Denktash wasted his life, and the Turkish Cypriots have no demand to join the EU as long as Turkey is not a member.
Fact: The Greek Cypriot side is ready to sit at the negotiation table and solve the Cyprus problem.
Monday 13 May will be crucial for the Cyprus problem, with meetings in Nicosia and Ankara focusing on the outcome and future developments. The Greek Cypriot side expects Turkey to make a move to push Ersin Tatar back to the table, while Tatar insists on his conditions being met before entering talks. The UN and international actors expect both sides to make moves to break the deadlock. President Christodoulides mentioned exchanging ideas with the UN envoy, emphasizing the agreed framework for a solution. The focus is on gestures that will facilitate a joint meeting between the two leaders and the UN side.
– Congestion at crossing points between Cyprus’ two sides is the fault of the Greek Cypriot side.
– The Turkish Cypriot side has widened the road at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point to facilitate quicker crossings.
– The Turkish Cypriot side suggested opening a new crossing point for commercial vehicles only in Mia Milia to reduce congestion at Ayios Dhometios.
– The proposal for a new crossing point in Mia Milia met a stumbling block when the Greek Cypriot side suggested a crossing point be opened in Kokkina.
– The north’s transport minister indicated that opening new crossing points would require 1,500 new police recruits to cover the gaps in personnel.