Well-known names linked to EU Cyprus role (updated)

President Nikos Christodoulides has pushed forward with his policy of seeking an EU appointed official to get involved with the Cyprus problem, the government spokesman said on Friday – with speculation as to who may be suitable for such a position.

Christodoulides met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday with government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis explaining that both Cyprus and Germany made suggestions as to who could take over a potential EU post to the island.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Christodoulides was asked about former chancellor Angela Merkel and whether she could be a candidate for EU envoy on the Cyprus problem.

“Merkel is certainly a public figure that could contribute but it remains to be seen whether she wishes for such an assignment or whether she would be selected by the EU,” Christodoulides said.

He cautioned that not too much should be read into these comments.

“I was answering a journalist’s question in an interview I gave in Germany,” he said on Friday.

“From then on, I discussed names, without making public and I cannot publish any name, I discussed, yes, specifically with the German Chancellor, as I did with the French President, as well as with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

“At the moment, the most important thing is to let diplomacy do its job, and there are still contacts at technocratic level in Brussels on precisely this issue, and we hope that there will be a positive conclusion.”

Letymbiotis stressed that the potential person to take on the role must be able to present Turkey with the necessary incentives to persuade Ankara to return to the negotiating table.

The spokesman also stated that Scholz was impressed with Christodoulides’ readiness and determination to get negotiations back on track.

But while Scholz expressed Germany’s readiness to assist, he also queried whether there is the desire to push forward.

“I do not know if there is will on all sides,” Scholz said, adding that all parties involved must show “political courage”.

“I am completely satisfied with the discussions I had with the German Chancellor, his statements were clear in relation to Germany’s readiness to help in the effort to break the deadlock,” Christodoulides said.

“What I can tell you is that we will be in contact with the German Chancellor in the near future to see how the conditions are created to achieve the common goal – because it is also a common goal with Germany – to resume talks from where they broke off in Crans-Montana.”

Letymbiotis concluded by saying that Christodoulides will continue his push for an EU appointee on June 13 when he will make the case before the European parliament in Strasbourg.