Rosemary DiCarlo in Cyprus to discuss stalled Cyprob negotiations (Update 2)

President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar met separately with UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on Wednesday, in efforts to find a way forward in stalled Cyprus problem negotiations.

Speaking after the meeting with Christodoulides, DiCarlo said that she expressed the support of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

She added that she had an excellent meeting with Christodoulides.

“I congratulated him on his election to the position and I wished him success during his term,” she said.

The UN official said that they talked extensively about the Cyprus problem, reiterating Guterres’ support to finding a solution.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that DiCarlo’s visit sends the message the secretary-general wants talks to resume immediately.

Christodoulides informed DiCarlo that the goal is to remove the impasse in frozen talks, and to restart negotiations based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Letymbiotis said that the president told DiCarlo about his proposal for more active EU involvement and about the benefits it can bring, and how it can contribute to the achievement of a mutually beneficial situation for all parties.

He described to DiCarlo that the EU is the common home of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and that Turkish Cypriots are already enjoying some benefits from the EU.

“We should not see this proposal as a proposal that contributes negatively, but contributes very positively to the right climate which must be cultivated,” he said.

Christodoulides also informed the UN rep about upcoming visits he will have in Brussels for the European Council meetings, including one with the head of the council Charles Michel.

He also said that if DiCarlo wishes he is ready for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The president also said he would be ready to go to a meeting in New York if the secretary-general requested.

Asked about DiCarlo’s reaction to the president’s proposal for EU involvement, the spokesman said: “What the UN recognises is that the EU’s role in the negotiations will be supportive, it is not going to replace the UN, Cyprus is a member state of the EU, the UN has cooperation with the EU and what the president clarified is that it is always within the framework of the UN that the negotiations will take place.”

He said that any attempt by the Greek Cypriot side is viewed positively by DiCarlo, as the government is trying to cultivate the right climate.

Regarding the appointment of a UN secretary-general representative for the Cyprus problem, Letymbiotis said that the president requested DiCarlo tell Guterres about their request.

Letymbiotis also said it was still unclear if Christodoulides would meet Guterres on the sidelines of the EU Council meeting in Brussels next week.

Following her meeting with Tatar, DiCarlo said that she made the commitment of Guterres clear.

She added that they discussed the Cyprus problem in depth and discussed the need to strengthen the technical committees so that they can work hard on a number of issues.

After the meeting, Tatar told reporters that the resumption of official negotiations will only be possible with the acceptance of his “new vision” for sovereign equality and equal international status for the de facto state in the north.

He also said that, while discussing the role of technical committees with the UN official, he suggested that the committees must include “officials” from institutions in the north as well.

Tatar added that he warned DiCarlo that if President Christodoulides is scheduled to meet the UN Secretary General, then he should also get the chance to do so.

Lastly, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that he will not allow the European Union to be actively involved in the negotiations, because “the union has already taken the side of the Greek Cypriots and because the only ones who can have a role in the negotiations are the two communities and the three guarantor powers.”

DiCarlo also expressed condolences to Tatar over the death of the Turkish Cypriots in the earthquakes in Turkey a month ago.

DiCarlo is accompanied by the UN Special Representative in Cyprus and Unficyp chief Colin Stewart.

At 3pm, the UN official opened an exhibit at Ledra Palace depicting the role of women in Cyprus talks, where Christodoulides’ wife Philippa will be present.

DiCarlo later visited the committee of missing persons (CMP).

On Thursday, she is expected to visit the buffer zone in Nicosia, and then take a helicopter ride from Nicosia to Famagusta along the green line.

In Famagusta, she will meet with the Slovakian peacekeepers stationed in the city, and then she will visit Varosha.

Later, she will meet with the bicommunal youth group.

On Friday, she will head to New York, in preparation for a trip to Brussels next week with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.