**Title: Christodoulides Engages EU Leaders at NATO Summit to Discuss Cyprus Issue**
**Nicosia, Cyprus** – President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed on Tuesday that he is actively engaging with senior European Union officials at the NATO summit in Turkey, focusing on the potential linkage between advancements in the Cyprus problem and EU-Turkey relations.
In a statement made from Nicosia, Christodoulides dismissed claims that there is an urgent deadline looming for progress on the Cyprus issue. “We do not feel there is a pressing deadline,” he stated, emphasizing the desire for substantive developments towards a settlement. “If it were possible, we would like to see substantive developments towards a Cyprus settlement even tomorrow.”
The president attributed the current diplomatic momentum to his administration's initiatives, noting an increase in EU involvement in the ongoing discussions. He specifically mentioned his communication with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, regarding the discussions occurring at the summit. Christodoulides expressed optimism that these talks would yield positive outcomes for Cyprus.
A significant event on the summit agenda is a dinner involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, European Council President António Costa, and von der Leyen. While he could not predict the dinner's outcome, Christodoulides expressed confidence that both Costa and von der Leyen would advocate for Cyprus' long-standing position: that progress in EU-Turkey relations should be contingent upon positive developments regarding the Cyprus issue.
“Everything depends on Turkey’s behaviour and on what President Erdoğan says,” he remarked, highlighting a collaborative approach among Nicosia, the European Commission, and the European Council in addressing this matter.
In addition to the discussions with EU leaders, Christodoulides addressed a recent United Nations report that mentioned incidents involving three Greek Cypriots allegedly firing at UN peacekeepers. He noted that UN reports have historically aimed to maintain a balance between the two communities on the island. “If they write something negative about one side, they will find something to write about the other. This is not something new; it has happened over time,” he commented.
Despite the report's contentious elements, the president maintained a focus on the broader context, stating that the essence of the report reflects a renewed momentum on the Cyprus issue after years of stagnation, which he attributed to the Republic’s diplomatic efforts.
When questioned about the report's references to confidence-building measures, Christodoulides clarified that the current priority is not on such measures but rather on efforts to restart formal negotiations. He reiterated that the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy had conveyed to both leaders during her last visit to Cyprus that the focus should remain on addressing the core issues of the Cyprus problem to facilitate the resumption of settlement talks.
As discussions continue at the NATO summit, the dynamics of EU-Turkey relations and their implications for the Cyprus issue remain pivotal. Christodoulides' proactive engagement with EU leaders underscores the Republic of Cyprus' commitment to seeking a resolution to the longstanding division of the island. The outcomes of these discussions may significantly influence the future trajectory of both EU-Turkey relations and the quest for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.