**Goal is to Create Conditions for the Resumption of Talks**
Nicosia, Cyprus – President Nikos Christodoulides expressed optimism about the potential resumption of talks regarding the Cyprus issue as he departed for a trilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Wednesday morning.
In statements made to the press, Christodoulides emphasized that the primary objective is to establish the necessary conditions to announce the resumption of negotiations from where they left off in Crans Montana. "That is our goal; step by step, we are seeing positive developments, and we are waiting to see what will happen today," he stated, highlighting the anticipation surrounding the discussions.
The trilateral meeting comes on the heels of individual meetings held on Tuesday between Guterres, Christodoulides, and Erhurman. During these discussions, Guterres reiterated his commitment to facilitating the resumption of talks aimed at finding a solution to the longstanding Cyprus problem.
When asked about the possibility of further communication with Turkey, Christodoulides pointed to recent diplomatic engagements, including a phone call between Guterres and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as well as a meeting between UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin and Fidan in Turkey the previous week. "I am not aware of Mr. Guterres’ phone conversations, but Turkey is certainly part of this effort," he remarked, indicating that Turkey's involvement is crucial in the ongoing dialogue.
Media reports have suggested that Turkey was engaged during meetings on Tuesday, reinforcing the notion that regional cooperation is essential for advancing discussions.
In addition to the trilateral meeting, Christodoulides announced that Raffaele Fitto, the newly appointed EU envoy for the Cyprus problem, is set to arrive on the island on Thursday evening. Fitto is expected to meet with the president the following morning, further underscoring the EU's interest in the resolution of the Cyprus issue.
As the situation develops, Christodoulides remains hopeful that these diplomatic efforts will pave the way for renewed negotiations, which have been stalled since the last round of talks in Crans Montana in 2017. The international community, particularly the UN and EU, continues to play a significant role in facilitating dialogue between the involved parties.
The outcome of the trilateral meeting and subsequent engagements will be closely monitored, as stakeholders seek to move forward in addressing the complexities of the Cyprus problem.