The election of Nikos Christodoulides as the 8th President of the Republic of Cyprus and the incidents in the dead zone in the area of Pyla with the attacks of settlers and extremist Turkish Cypriots against United Nations peacekeepers are among the important political events that marked Cyprus in 2023. The visits also stand out of high-ranking United Nations officials - Rosemary DiCarlo and Miroslav Yetsia - on the island, Nicosia's efforts to appoint a UN envoy for the Cyprus issue, President Christodoulides' proposal for more active involvement of the EU in the Cyprus issue, as well as Cyprus's initiative to creation of a sea corridor to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza.
January
Adoption of SA resolution for UNFICYP term renewal
It was adopted by the Security Council and circulated as an official document of the Security Council, the resolution for the renewal of the mandate of UNFICYP, for one year and not for six months as was done until now.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, expressed satisfaction with the resolution.
UN Secretary General reports on UNFICYP and its good services in Cyprus
The lack of common ground between the two sides for peace talks that will lead to a mutually agreed solution was recorded by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' report on UNFICYP, which was released as an official document of the Security Council.
In his report on the mission of his good offices in Cyprus from June 15, 2022 to December 12, 2022, he pointed out that the climate between the two sides in Cyprus and vis-a-vis the United Nations has worsened.
February
Election of the 8th President of the Republic of Cyprus
Nikos Christodoulidis was elected the 8th President of the Republic of Cyprus, after two rounds of Presidential elections. In the second round, his opponent was Andreas Mavroyiannis.
Nikos Christodoulidis received 51.91% (204.633 votes) against 48.09% (189.592 votes) of his opponent Andreas Mavroyiannis.
Meeting between Christodoulidis and Tatar
A meeting was held between President-elect Christodoulidis and the Turkish leader, Ersin Tatar, at the home of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, in the UN-protected area of the old Nicosia airport.
He didn't hear anything he didn't expect to hear about Mr. Tatar's approaches, Mr. Christodoulidis said after their informal meeting.
Composition of the new Government – President-elect's confirmation ceremony in the Parliament
The composition of the new Government was announced and the confirmation ceremony of the elected President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, took place in the Parliament.
In his speech, President Christodoulidis stated that he was ready to take over the governance of the country, expressing his full awareness of the necessary absolute dedication on his part to the state, its institutions, the citizens and the wider public interest based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus and the applicable laws.
March
Assurance of members of the Government – First session of the Council of Ministers
The confirmation ceremony was held and the members of the new government scheme officially assumed their duties. The first session of the new Council of Ministers also took place.
President Christodoulidis asked the Ministers how they are preparing for the meetings of the Council of Ministers, and asked how his Governance Program should be implemented.
DiCarlo's visit to Cyprus
The Deputy Secretary-General of the UN for Political and Peacekeeping Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, visited Cyprus, where she had, among other things, meetings with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, and with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar.
According to diplomatic sources, Ms. DiCarlo expressed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' commitment to the UN Security Council resolutions on the Cyprus issue.
Official visit of the President of the Republic to Greece
President Christodoulidis made an official visit to Greece from March 12 to 14, at the invitation of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
President Christodoulidis and the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced the establishment of a joint coordination body of the Governments of Cyprus and Greece.
President Christodoulidis informed the European Council of his proposal for the Cyprus issue
President Christodoulidis participated in the work of the European Council Summit in Brussels on March 23 and 24 and informed about his proposal for the Cyprus issue.
He also had meetings with the heads of the European Union institutions and contacts with heads of state or government. He also had a brief conversation with the UN Secretary General.
April
Working visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to Cyprus
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, visited Cyprus as part of his tour of EU Member States, ahead of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, in the second half of 2023.
He expressed support for the search for a permanent and just solution to the Cyprus problem, based on UN resolutions and the principles of international law, adding that "we will take an initiative to restart the dialogue between the parties".
Activation of HOSTIA Plan
Due to the war in Sudan, the Special National Plan ESTIA was activated, for the reception and repatriation of foreign citizens.
In this context, the Republic of Cyprus offered facilities to friendly countries for the repatriation of their nationals from Sudan via Cyprus.
Μάιος
PtD visits to France and Germany
President Christodoulidis visited France and Germany where he held talks with the leaders of the two countries.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, expressed support for Cyprus' efforts to reach a lasting solution to the Cyprus conflict. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country continues to support a solution in which Cyprus would become a federal bizonal state.
June
PtD's address to the EC Plenary
President Christodoulidis addressed the Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He also had meetings with the President of the body, Roberta Metzola, and other officials.
He stated before the Plenary that the EU has every interest but also an obligation to actively contribute, through a leading role, to the final settlement of the Cyprus issue, using all the political-economic means and tools at its disposal, in the context of Euro-Turkish relations .
Telephone communication PtD - UN Secretary General
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue within the relevant Security Council resolutions in a telephone conversation he had with President Christodoulidis.
Guterres and Christodoulidis exchanged views on the next steps towards trying to restart the talks and agreed to be in communication.
PtD report for 100 days of governance
President Christodoulidis gave an account of the government's work for the first hundred days since assuming power.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, he said that the Government made targeted, important contacts in the direction of resuming negotiations, speaking of a "huge diplomatic initiative".
ES conclusions for Cypriot and Euro-Turkish
The European Council, in which President Christodoulidis participated, in Brussels, approved conclusions with references to the Cypriot and Euro-Turkish issues.
The European Council pointed out that it remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the United Nations, in a manner consistent with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and in accordance with the principles on which the EU is based and the acquis. He also called for the swift resumption of negotiations.
July
PtD-Tatar visit to DEA
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, made a joint visit to the anthropological laboratory of the Investigative Committee for the Missing Persons (DEA), and appealed to all those who have information on the fate of the missing persons to hand it over to the DEA.
Official visit of Mitsotakis to Cyprus
Nicosia-Athens solidarity regarding the Cyprus issue was expressed by President Christodoulidis and the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in their statements after the private meeting they had in the context of the Greek Prime Minister's official visit to Cyprus.
August
Episode with attacks on peacekeepers in the dead zone
An incident occurred on 18/8 in the dead zone near Pyla with attacks by epic and extreme T/k against UN peacekeepers who went to the area from the occupied territories, in the context of carrying out work inside the dead zone. Four members of the peacekeeping force were injured during the attack.
In Cyprus, the Assistant Secretary General of the UN, Miroslav Yetzia
The Assistant Secretary General of the UN for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Miroslav Yetzia, paid a visit to Cyprus for contacts. As part of his visit, he had separate meetings with the President of the Republic and the Turkish leader. He also visited the dead zone, near Pyla.
September
9th Tripartite Summit of Cyprus-Greece - Israelmountain
The 9th Cyprus-Greece-Israel Tripartite Summit was held in Nicosia, reaffirming the goal of intensifying their cooperation in areas such as energy, security, defense, the academic community and the diaspora.
To cooperate, PtD called on Erdogan from the floor of the UN General Assembly
President Christodoulidis, in his speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, in New York called on the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to cooperate and build a brighter future for their countries, through dialogue and respect for international legitimacy .
The UN Secretary General discussed the Cyprus issue and developments in the region with PtD
The Cyprus issue and developments in the region were discussed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with President Christodoulidis in New York. We are on the same line as the Secretary General of the United Nations and on the matter of appointing a personality for the Cyprus issue but also on the need to hold a tripartite meeting, said the President after the meeting.
October
Participation of PtD in the International Conference for Peace
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, participated in the International Conference for Peace, convened by the President of Egypt in Cairo, during which he stated that the region cannot withstand further instability.
Commencement of works in Pyla on the basis of understanding with the UN
Work began in Pyla as a result of an understanding agreed earlier that month with the United Nations. Commenting on the start of the projects in the region, the President of the Republic stated that the memorandum of understanding is a product of discussions with Turkey itself.
Cyprus proposed a maritime humanitarian corridor for Gaza, the PtD said
The President of the Republic stated that he discussed ideas for sending aid to Gaza by sea, from the port of Limassol, and spoke of the creation of a "maritime humanitarian corridor".
Consent to the UN to appoint an envoy
Cyprus has given its consent to the United Nations for the "appointment of a specific personality who will undertake to investigate the prospects for the resumption of talks" in the Cyprus issue
November
Lacroix's visit to Cyprus
The UN Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, paid a visit to Cyprus, during which he met with President Christodoulidis, with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, visited the DEA and the dead zone in Pyla.
Blinken-Christodoulidis meeting
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, landed in Larnaca, who held a meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis. The crisis in the Middle East and the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a maritime humanitarian corridor were at the center of their brief discussion.
Suspension of operations in Pyla
The work in Pyla was suspended, after the United Nations requested a short pause as stated by President Christodoulidis, citing that there were problems and a reaction from the Turkish occupying forces.
1st Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit
The 1st Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit, which was held in Athens, under the leadership of the Greek Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, focused on a wide range of issues.
Rejection by the Turkish side of Guterres' proposal for an envoy
President Christodoulidis stated that the Turkish side rejected a personality proposed by the UN Secretary-General as an envoy for the Cyprus issue and which the EU side had accepted and that they await the Secretary-General's new proposal.
Violation of the dead zone in Ag. Dometio by occupying forces
A number of soldiers of the Turkish occupying forces entered the dead zone, in the area of Agios Dometios, and installed a metal mast on an uninhabited house, on which a rotating camera and antenna were placed. Two days later the peacekeeping force was mobilized due to the entry of men of the occupying army in a vehicle in the same area, asking them to leave. After these developments, the activation of the measures started in relation to the issue of the violation of the dead zone in the area of Agios Dometiou.
December
PtD meetings with the UN Secretary General and the Turkish President
President Christodoulidis had a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai. President Christodoulidis also had a short conversation with the Turkish President.
Consent from KD for sent to Cyprus
The Republic of Cyprus gave its consent to a new proposal by the UN Secretary-General, for the appointment of his envoy to the Cyprus problem. The Turkish side announced that it also responded positively to the appointment of an envoy with conditions.
Telephone communication of PtD with the Secretary General of the UN
President Christodoulidis had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. They discussed the Cyprus issue, the ongoing violations of the Turkish occupying forces in the dead zone as well as the efforts to implement the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus, to create a sea corridor for Gaza.
PtD-T/K leader meeting at an event hosted by Colin Stewart
President Christodoulidis and Turkish leader Ersin Tatar participated in a reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, on the occasion of the end of the year.
The Israeli Foreign Minister is in Cyprus for a humanitarian corridor
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Eli Cohen, made a working visit to Cyprus on the issue of the "Amalthia" initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a corridor for sending humanitarian aid through Cyprus to Gaza. "We want to create an expedited process for humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza through this corridor," he said.
Source: KYPE