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- Ελληνικά
"I do not understand anyone not wishing to simply discuss", President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, referring to the Turkish Cypriot leader's statements that he rejects a trilateral meeting between the leaders of the two communities and the United Nations (UN) Secretary General's (UN) Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Ms. Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar.
In his remarks while attending the Europe Day event at the House of Europe, the President of the Republic, asked to comment on the statements of the Turkish Cypriot leader, who rejected a trilateral meeting of the leaders with the UN Secretary General's personal envoy Ms. Holguin, said: "I will not speak for Mr Tatar, I will speak for our side. I responded positively to the invitation of Ms Holguin, who is in Cyprus. An effort is underway that is not limited to Cyprus. Let us let diplomacy work and hopefully there will be positive results. If we do not discuss how we will see that there is a prospect for a solution to the Cyprus problem. And I don't understand anyone not wishing to discuss, just discuss. But, again, I don't want to prejudge developments and out of respect for the work of Ms. Holguin and all those who are trying to help us in this effort. We should wait to see the results and then we will take a position."
Asked if Ms. Holguin had mentioned some of her ideas and thoughts to him, the President said: "I had a long and constructive discussion with Ms Holguin, she mentioned some ideas, I mentioned some ideas and her effort is continuing. I don't want to comment because Mr. Tatar made the specific statements, I never believe that we will ever have progress on the Cyprus problem through public statements or communication approaches. Let us leave Ms Holguin, he continues, she is here in Cyprus. They (the UN) are trying, and I want to acknowledge that, the contacts that preceded her coming to Cyprus are also important, efforts are being made, let's wait to see the final result and then we will take a responsible and comprehensive position."
Asked if there have been proposals that need to be overcome, President Christodoulides said: "No overrides, there is no question of anyone going beyond the agreed framework for a solution. Beyond that I cannot understand how someone cannot sit down at a table to discuss. The effort continues, let me not prejudge the outcome, I have seen the statements (Tatar), they are not positive, I don't want to comment, I don't want to speak for Mr. Tatar, I respect the effort that is ongoing and we are waiting to see the results."
Asked if he hopes for something in relation to the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting, the President of the Republic said: "Of course I hope so. I had communication last night with the Greek Prime Minister on this issue and it is a meeting that always has a special interest. Certainly the Cyprus problem will be among the issues that will be discussed, some messages will be conveyed especially from the Greek Prime Minister, I do not know what the Turkish President's intentions are, and I hope that this meeting will also help in this effort."
Asked whether he believes that in the context of the Euro-Turkish relations, the EU can be more useful than the UN, the President of the Republic said: "The UN has set the framework, it is in this framework that all efforts are being conducted, it is in this framework that any talks will take place. From there, the EU has all the tools and instruments that can help catalyse the resumption of talks and the overall settlement of the Cyprus problem."
With the recent European Council, the EU sent a very positive message to Turkey, with the positive contribution of the Republic of Cyprus, which was recognised, a message of readiness for positive developments. Whether these positive developments will translate into concrete actions is entirely up to Turkey."
(PM/NYAN/EP)
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