President Nikos Christodoulides and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are on the “same page” regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem, that there cannot be a solution outside the agreed framework.
The Cyprus problem was discussed at 10, Downing street on Monday, just hours before Christodoulides attends an informal dinner in New York with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, in what he hopes will jumpstart the procedure leading to a fresh round of negotiations.
“I consider it to be especially important that this meeting has taken place, taking into consideration that the new [British] government has just recently assumed its duties,” Christodoulides said after the meeting.
Christodoulides thanked Starmer for the invitation, adding that he would then fly to New York for his meeting with the UN chief and the Turkish Cypriot leader.
He said the role of the UK as a guarantor as well as a permanent member of the Security Council is of “decisive importance”.
“So, it is important to convey some messages, to work together and I was happy to hear that there cannot be a solution of the Cyprus problem outside the framework set out by the UN Security Council resolutions.”
Christodoulides said “we have very good bilateral relations, such as security, and we agreed to expand this cooperation to many other sectors, there are many prospects.”
He also said the discussed regional issues and that Starmer thanked him for the role Cyprus is playing in the region.
Christodoulides thanked Starmer because Britain was “the first country to have faith in Cyprus’ initiative for the humanitarian corridor”.
“We are worried about the developments [in the Middle East] and we believe there should be an international initiative for a ceasefire to begin with.”
Christodoulides invited Starmer to visit Cyprus and pointed out that the last visit of a British prime minister was in 1993 in the framework of CHOGM.
“I am very happy that I see a will to enhance our bilateral relations. The same applies for the prospect for the resumption of talks and solving the Cyprus problem. We are on the same page. There cannot be a solution outside the agreed framework.”
The president said he was “going to NY to do what I can for a positive outcome and a positive outcome cannot be anything else than the resumption of substantive talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem”.
“We know very well where we want to go, we know our goals and we are ready to resume talks. Only if we sit at the negotiating table will we be able to see the prospects for a solution.”
Christodoulides stressed that “the status quo cannot constitute the solution.”
The UN chief is taking the initiative for this meeting in the midst of two wars – Ukraine and the Middle East and “there is no stronger indication of his commitment for progress in the Cyprus problem than this.”
Speaking before his meeting with Starmer, the first since the latter’s election, Christodoulides said this was “an important and timely” meeting and thanked Starmer for the invitation so soon after taking office.
He pointed out that Britain, as a guarantor power and permanent member of the UN security council, had an important role to play.
“I count on your support,” he said addressing Starmer.
Welcoming Christodoulides, Starmer referred to the two countries’ long-standing bilateral relations.
The meeting was followed by expanded talks with additional officials, including Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
Christodoulides had clarified earlier in October that Tuesday’s meeting would not have an open agenda.
The president convened the National Council on October 7. Speaking after the meeting, Letymbiotis said Christodoulides was in a “position of strength” ahead of the informal dinner in New York.
Greek Cypriot negotiator for the Cyprus problem Menelaos Menelaou has said the Greek Cypriot side will undertake efforts to ensure Tuesday’s meeting will “yield the best possible result”.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the informal dinner was a “positive development”.