On December 2, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said that he was ready to support Turkey’s strategic goal of joining the European Union if Ankara demonstrates real progress in resolving the Cyprus issue.
He noted that he is closely following the latest statements by Turkish President Recep Erdogan.
“If Mr. Erdogan’s statements truly reflect his intentions and are not populism, we are ready to become the country that sets the right vector in this direction,” Christodoulides emphasized.
The statement came amid increased diplomatic contacts following the election of Tufan Erhurman as the new Turkish Cypriot leader in October this year. The President confirmed that he is “fully prepared” for the upcoming meeting on December 11 with Erhurman and the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, Maria Angela Holguin.
Before the two leaders meet, Holguin will hold separate consultations, first with Erhurman on Friday and then with Christodoulides on Saturday. “I will come to the meeting with one goal: to create conditions for the resumption of dialogue,” the president said.
Erdogan, meanwhile, reaffirmed his country's aspirations for European Union membership, calling it a "strategic priority." He also complained about "obstacles" coming in Ankara's way.
Previously, Christodoulides admitted the possibility of inviting Erdogan or Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to informal meetings that will take place during Cyprus' presidency of the EU Council. According to him, this could strengthen relations between the bloc and Ankara. “We cannot change our geography. Türkiye will always be a neighbor of Cyprus, so I prefer a neighbor that is closer to the European Union,” the president said.
European Parliament The European Parliament in May recommended a "freeze" of Turkey's EU accession process due to "democratic backsliding" and condemned Erdogan's recent visit to northern Cyprus, calling it "illegal" and "provocative."
Source: cyprus-mail.com
