The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis declares that it seeks to “change Nicosia’s approach towards Turkey” and to promote “a more constructive EU-Ankara relationship”, in the context of the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union that begins in January.
“We have changed our approach towards EU-Turkey relations. We cannot change our geography. Turkey will always be our neighbor, so I prefer a neighbor close to the European Union,” he said in an interview with Financial Times.
Mr Christodoulidis revealed that he is considering inviting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to informal EU meetings. during the Cypriot presidency. “It is about the presidency of the EU, not only Cyprus. It would send a positive message for EU-Turkey relations,” he said.
The President also expressed his intention to restart the negotiations on the Cyprus issue, after the election of Tufan Erhiurman in the occupied territories, whom he described as “a man in favor of the solution”. As he noted, “the talks must start where they left off in 2017 in Crans-Montana, not from scratch. We have come very close… If we start from there, it is possible.”
He also welcomed the appointment of the former EU commissioner. Johannes Hahn as special envoy for the Cyprus issue, underlining that “the European Union must sit at the negotiating table”, as only it “can offer Ankara incentives strong enough to make an agreement attractive”.
The Cypriot President suggested the adoption of small but essential steps of trust: “We can start by granting free visas for Turkish businessmen. And at the same time, Turkey should open a port for Cypriot-flagged ships. Since 1987, no Cypriot ship can approach Turkey. Step by step, so that we can see the benefits of this positive course”.
However, he warned that he could face resistance from European capitals that remain wary of Ankara. “The European Commission may be ready, but I’m not sure if the member states are – or if they’re just hiding behind Cyprus,” he pointedly said.