The Cyprus problem was discussed at 10, Downing street on Monday, just hours before President Nikos Christodoulides attends an informal dinner in New York with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, in what he hopes will jumpstart the procedure leading to a fresh round of negotiations.
Speaking before his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the first since the latter’s election, Christodoulides said this was “an important and timely” meeting and thanked Starmer for the invitation so soon after taking office.
Christodoulides said he would be leaving shortly after the meeting for New York and hoped the dinner would pave the way for negotiations and a solution based on UN resolutions.
He pointed out that Britain, as a guarantor power and permanent member of the UN security council, had an important role to play.
“I count on your support,” he said addressing Starmer.
Welcoming Christodoulides, Starmer referred to the two countries’ long-standing bilateral relations.
The meeting was followed by expanded talks with additional officials, including Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
Later, Christodoulides is set to depart for New York, where he will attend an informal meeting with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
Christodoulides had clarified earlier in October that Tuesday’s meeting would not have an open agenda.
The president convened the National Council on October 7. Speaking after the meeting, Letymbiotis said Christodoulides was in a “position of strength” ahead of the informal dinner in New York.
Greek Cypriot negotiator for the Cyprus problem Menelaos Menelaou has said the Greek Cypriot side will undertake efforts to ensure Tuesday’s meeting will “yield the best possible result”.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the informal dinner was a “positive development”.
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