President Christodoulides Claims Victory in Linking Cyprus Issue to EU-Turkey Relations, Despite Limited Impact

President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus claimed victory in linking progress on the Cyprus issue to EU-Turkey relations at the European Council meeting in Brussels on April 19, 2024. However, the move had limited practical impact, according to AKEL leader Stefanos Stefanou.

Stefanou criticized Christodoulides' stance on the Cyprus problem, stating that it has not produced any meaningful outcomes. He said, "AKEL has submitted a specific and comprehensive proposal to positively influence developments and resume negotiations based on the Guterres framework." Stefanou warned that the current impasse fully serves the plans for partition, which Cyprus cannot accept.

The AKEL leader called for seriousness, consistency, collectivity, and a policy based on principles and concrete planning to address the critical situation facing Cyprus. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive proposal to resume negotiations and make progress on the Cyprus issue.

President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) also issued a statement regarding the conclusions of the European Council Summit. Tatar stated that the conclusions once again demonstrate the EU's inability to be impartial on the Cyprus problem, which was imported into the EU 20 years ago despite the membership criteria.

Tatar emphasized that the responsibility for the failure to reach a solution in Cyprus lies with the Greek Cypriot leadership, which has been permitted to maintain the status it usurped in 1963. He noted that the appointment of a UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy explicitly demonstrates that a federation no longer constitutes a common ground as a basis for a negotiated settlement in Cyprus.

The European Council meeting's conclusions on the Cyprus issue have highlighted the ongoing challenges and differing perspectives between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides. While President Christodoulides claimed victory in linking progress on the Cyprus issue to EU-Turkey relations, the practical impact of this move remains limited, as pointed out by AKEL leader Stefanou. The statements from both sides underscore the need for serious, consistent, and principled efforts to resume negotiations and address the critical situation in Cyprus.

Key Takeaways

• Christodoulides claimed victory in linking Cyprus issue to EU-Turkey relations.
• AKEL leader Stefanou criticized Christodoulides' stance as not producing meaningful outcomes.
• AKEL proposed a comprehensive plan to resume negotiations based on Guterres framework.
• Tatar stated EU's inability to be impartial on Cyprus, blaming Greek Cypriot leadership.
• Conclusions highlight ongoing challenges and differing perspectives between the two sides.