Former Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasulidis stated that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to Cyprus represented a missed opportunity. He noted that Guterres’ arrival could have marked an important step in resolving the issues on the island, but this chance was not sufficiently leveraged.
The Importance of Negotiations
In an interview with a weekly magazine, Kasulidis expressed disappointment over the lack of necessary preparations prior to the visit, arguing that key issues regarding the Cyprus problem should have been addressed beforehand. He emphasized that discussions about the political structure of the island are currently more needed to evaluate this opportunity.
Kasulidis welcomed the decision of President Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Nikos Christodoulides to hold regular weekly meetings. However, he pointed out that the scope of negotiations should be broadened, asserting that all relevant topics should be placed on the table.
Future Steps
Kasulidis suggested that Christodoulides could take steps towards opening the Haspolat crossing point if he accepts certain elements of the methodology proposed by Erhürman. He also expressed his hopes regarding whether significant developments can be achieved before the end of Guterres’ term.
Finally, Kasulidis highlighted the importance of political equality for Turkish Cypriots and security issues, adding that a solution based on the security agreement proposed at Crans Montana in the past should be pursued.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
