Greek Cypriots waiting to see response from the north

The Greek Cypriot side is waiting to see how constructive the Turkish Cypriot side will be following the appointment of the new UN envoy, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday.

Letymbiotis was commenting on reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar was told to keep quiet by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on issues dealing with the Cyprus problem.

Letymbiotis said that the government is aware of these reports, and “we are interested in the actual stance [of the Turkish Cypriot side] in attempts to restart the negotiations”.

Commenting on Tatar’s other statements calling for Russia to open direct relations with the north, Letymbiotis said that this is a consistent tactic of the breakaway regime.

He added that Russia is a member of the UN Security Council, and that there are already UN resolutions in place that Russia abides by, which say the Republic of Cyprus is the only recognised state.

“We have diplomatic relations with all the permanent security council members, and we are taking diplomatic measures continuously and consistently,” he said.

Asked to comment on the new envoy of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and why the announcement has not happened, Letymbiotis said that they expect the announcement to be made in the next few days and the individual will take up their duties by the start of the new year.

Letymbiotis said that Guterres told them in September that the envoy should devote time, that sustained, intensive contacts and meetings with both sides should be a top priority, so that the exploration of the prospect of resuming negotiations would be more effective.

As to whether the appointment of an envoy would also be sought by the EU, he said that after the official appointment of the UN envoy there would be further engagement with the EU.

Asked if legal measures are going to be taken over foreigners reportedly are buying Greek Cypriot land in the north, Letymbiotis said that that they are examining the issue and looking into what measures can be taken.

The measures being considered, he continued, are not something that can be discussed in public.

Asked if the government knows who is buying the land, Letymbiotis said that there is information on some of the people.

Meanwhile, a few days ago it emerged that the Jewish community buying land in the north has been increasingly targeted, as many have been reported to own property in Trikomo.

Late last month, five business organisations including the Cyprus Turkish Businesspeople Association, in a statement that condemned Israel’s attack on Gaza and called for a ceasefire, said: “The Jewish colony settled in our country should be controlled and the necessary measures should be taken regarding their residency here.”