We are going to Geneva with a specific plan and specific proposals that we will sumbit at the negotiating table”, said on Sunday President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.

Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Byzantine Museum in Nicosia, he also underlined “the need for us to take every action”.

When asked whether, in light of the ongoing Turkish intransigence, we are going to Geneva expanded meeting on the Cyprus issue, March 17 and 18 with a specific plan, President Christodoulides said, “certainly, we are going with a specific plan, we have specific proposals that we will submit at the negotiating table”.

As he noted, “you understand that the bilateral meetings that will take place, especially with the UN Secretary-General, are of crucial importance. What you have mentioned is a fact, yes, but what is the choice before us? To keep talking about Turkish intransigence or to do everything possible on our part to end the occupation and reunite our homeland”, he questioned.

At the end of the day, he emphasised, “our homeland is under occupation, so it is the least we can do to do whatever is possible”, he added.

So, President Christodoulides said, “I am going to Geneva, I am aware of all that you have mentioned, but at the same time, I am aware of my obligation to the people of Cyprus”.

Asked in light of his own remarks at the European Council on European defence to comment on the signing of an agreement between an Italian and a Turkish company for the construction of unmanned aircraft, the President of the Republic said that “this is not the first time Turkey has collaborated with EU member states on defence equipment, and Turkey is doing what it needs to do for its own interests, to strengthen its defence industry”.

The same goes for Italy and other member states, he continued. “If my memory serves me right, the country with the closest defence cooperation with Turkey is Spain, followed by Italy”, he added.

The President clarified that what he said at the European Council, is that EU money in relation to investment in this sector – must strengthen European defence cooperation. “Because as the EU, if we continue to depend on third countries for our defence, our energy, our raw materials, we will never be able to achieve the goal of strategic autonomy”.

Answering questions, the President said that he did not discuss with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis the issue of the electrical interconnection between Cyprus and Crete. “Yesterday, the topic of discussion was exclusively the expanded meeting that will take place in Geneva,” he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced an expanded meeting, in Geneva, on March 17 and 18, to exchange views with the Cyprus President and the Turkish Cypriot leader on ways of achieving progress on the Cyprus issue, following their informal dinner on October 15, 2024, in New York. Representatives from Greece, Turkey and the UK are also expected to attend the meeting.

Source: Parikiaki.com