Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed on Tuesday that legal action against individuals regarding Greek Cypriot properties in the north will not stop, regardless of political reactions from the Turkish Cypriot side.
Speaking to reporters in Limassol ahead of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber’s annual General Assembly, Christodoulides responded to Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s recent remarks, in which Tatar described the prosecutions as “terrorist acts” and threatened to cease dialogue if they continued.
“These prosecutions will not stop, no matter what Mr. Tatar says,” Christodoulides asserted. He also dismissed Tatar’s refusal to meet as a sign of weakness: “The one who refuses dialogue is the one in the weaker position.”
The Greek Cypriot leader emphasized that recent diplomatic progress, including the appointment and continued mandate of UN envoy María Ángela Holguín and EU envoy Johannes Hahn, was the result of initiatives led by the Greek Cypriot side. He added that discussions for a forthcoming meeting in New York are underway.
“Despite public statements aimed at other objectives, we remain focused on creating the necessary conditions for the resumption of negotiations,” he said.
Christodoulides revealed that he had recently proposed four negotiation scenarios to Holguín, aligned with the United Nations framework, for which the Greek Cypriot side is fully prepared. Holguín also met on Tuesday with the Greek Cypriot negotiator on the Cyprus issue.
Responding to concerns about whether the issue of property had been raised with Holguín, Christodoulides noted that Tatar had already brought up the matter during the Geneva talks and again to the UN Secretary-General on October 15. “This is not a new issue,” he said.
“The illegality of these actions cannot be justified,” Christodoulides stressed, reiterating his consistent position to international leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, and the Presidents and Prime Ministers of Israel and Portugal: “We do not interfere with the judiciary. Those who violate the law are prosecuted.”
( Source : CNA)
