He is going to the meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar with specific suggestions and is ready for positive announcements today regarding the opening of new crossing points, said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, noting that everything will depend on Mr. Tatar's intentions.
In statements made upon his departure from the Presidential Palace for the meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, at Colin Stewart's residence in the Dead Zone, the President said that "I am going with very specific approaches, specific suggestions for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and I am fully prepared to have announcements today. Everything will depend on the attitude of the other side."
He added that "we are taking a very positive approach, with very specific proposals that take into account the concerns or, if you want, the priorities, the worries of the entire Cypriot people, and if there is a response, I am ready to make announcements today."
Responding to a relevant question, he said that he is not going to the meeting with the approach of not reaching a conclusion. "I am going with a positive approach to reach a conclusion. Depending on how the data evolves, we have alternative proposals," he said, noting that it is our side that has repeatedly requested and sought this specific meeting.
"I hope that Mr. Tatar will come with a positive attitude and that there will be a positive result, and if he comes with such an attitude, be sure that we will have both a result and positive announcements. If not, we will handle it accordingly," he said.
When asked if the possibility of a no-deal outcome is a bad omen for the informal five-party talks, the President replied that the two are not directly linked. Undoubtedly, a positive outcome will help the five-party talks, without being a prerequisite.
It is recalled that the Greek Cypriot side has for some time presented proposals for opening passages at Pyroi and Kokkina in the meetings of the negotiators of the two sides with Mr. Stewart. The Turkish Cypriot side has mentioned its position for opening a roadblock at Mia Milia.
