The Alithia newspaper, published in Southern Cyprus, emphasized that President Nikos Hristodulidis has shown indifference to the developments regarding the Cyprus issue before the end of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ term. The newspaper pointed out that this has caused a lack of effective use of time.
Alithia reported on the uncertainties that have led to a direct intervention by the UN Secretary General concerning Cyprus. It recalled a similar situation during Ban Ki Moon’s term with the Mont Pelerin process and brought the Crans Montana negotiations into the discussion.
The newspaper indicated that as Guterres’ term comes to an end, efforts are being made to complete the ongoing process in Crans Montana, noting that dialogue between the two sides has significantly slowed down following the election of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman.
It was recalled that Maria Angela Holguin, Guterres’ Personal Representative for Cyprus, paused the process to provide both sides with an opportunity to prepare for Guterres’ last efforts after the process faced the risk of collapse in February. Hristodulidis, however, hesitated to engage in a disagreement with Holguin and referred to the necessity of initial meetings considering Southern Cyprus’ EU Presidency as “comical.”
Attention was drawn to the fact that during Guterres’ visit to the island in July, conditions were established for holding new meetings in a 5+1 format. These conditions included the completion of general elections and the opening of new crossing points. Guterres stated that time loss should be prevented to accelerate the process.
It was noted that President Tufan Erhürman responded immediately to the conditions for acceleration, while Hristodulidis did not respond in a timely manner. Shortly after Guterres left the island, Erhürman suggested meeting with Hristodulidis at least once a week, but Hristodulidis scheduled the first appointment for August 26.
With the second meeting date still unspecified, it was noted that Hristodulidis missed Guterres’ expired four-month term. The insistence of Hristodulidis on not requiring certain conditions has made it difficult for Guterres, Holguin, and Erhürman to pursue confidence-building measures.
In conclusion, Hristodulidis’ current stance negatively impacts the developments regarding the Cyprus issue, while Erhürman’s approach appears to be much more constructive. Holguin had to give separate interviews to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot media to clarify this situation, criticizing Hristodulidis’ attitude and emphasizing the need to prevent the stagnation of the process.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
