Tatar congratulates Christodoulides (Updated)

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday called president-elect Nikos Christodoulides to congratulate him for his election.

The initiative was undertaken by Tatar, a statement by Christodoulides’ campaign office specified.

Christodoulides conveyed his condolences for the Turkish Cypriot community and the families of the victims from the deadly earthquake in Turkey. At the same time he stressed Cyprus’ readiness to offer any help needed.

During the call, Christodoulides also told Tatar the existing situation over the Cyprus problem does not benefit either of the two communities. He also expressed his readiness to restart talks on the agreed framework to resolve the Cyprus problem.

According to the statement, Christodoulides also expressed his readiness to meet Tatar as soon as possible – for which he will also notify the UN.

Tatar refrained from responding, the statement added.

Meanwhile the United Nations office in Cyprus said it stands ready to facilitate a meeting between the Christodoulides and Tatar.

“The United Nations is always ready to facilitate a meeting of the leaders provided they are ready,” UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the Cyprus News Agency.

Siddique was being asked to comment on Christodoulides’ offer to Tatar for a meeting.

He also said that Colin Stewart, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, hopes to speak with the two leaders sometime over the next few days.