President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has said the government has carried out targeted, significant contacts towards the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue and referred to a "tremendous diplomatic initiative" during his introductory remarks at a press conference on the first 100 days of governance.

He told reporters that from the moment he took office, he publicly stated that the top priority for the government is breaking the deadlock in Cyprus and resuming substantive negotiations under the auspices of the UN, from where they left off in Crans-Montana, taking into account his strong belief that the current state of affairs cannot be the solution for Cyprus.

"Within this framework, we immediately undertook the initiative of actions, starting on the basis of a specific plan and strategy, a tremendous diplomatic initiative with the aim to get the EU more actively involved in Cyprus, through the appointment of a strong political personality, to restart the negotiations", he noted.

We pursue, he added, through the EU's more active involvement, to strengthen the UN Secretary-General's efforts. The goal, said President Christodoulides, is to promote a mutually beneficial situation for all parties involved through possible progress on the EU-Turkey issues and the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue, based on the agreed framework.

The President noted that the government has conducted targeted and significant contacts, both at his level and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with European and third-country leaders, highlighting Cyprus' willingness and readiness, as well as the need for relevant mobilization from the international community.

At the same time, he said, 'in our foreign policy, we have worked systematically towards enhancing the outward orientation and presence of the Republic of Cyprus in all important international forums and decision-making centers, so that our country can actively and constructively participate in current regional and international issues, while also aiming to achieve mutually beneficial collaborations'.

President Christodoulides said the Foreign Minister has already conducted 29 bilateral visits and contacts at a European and international level, while Nicosia has carried out a trilateral meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel in Nicosia in March. These, he said, 'are indicative of the magnitude of the effort being made'.

He also said that following a decision of the Council of Ministers, the Ministerial Committee for the preparation of necessary actions in view of Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the EU Council in 2026 has been established.

He further stated that in the same direction, in the coming period, the appointment of a Deputy Minister to the President with competence in European Affairs will take place.

The President reminded that the priorities concerning the resolution of the Cyprus issue, the pursuit of a multidimensional foreign policy that makes Cyprus a strong partner in Europe and the region, as well as the strengthening of the country's deterrent power, are of utmost importance in his Governance Programme.

Regarding defence and security, he noted that the government has taken a series of actions within the framework of its Governance Programme, with the most significant being the decision of the Council of Ministers to establish and operate the National Security Council as an advisory body to the President and the Council of Ministers on all matters concerning the national security of the country.

At the same time, as he stated, the National Security Council, among other things, will inform the National Council, through the President of the Republic, about matters related to the Cyprus issue.

President Christodoulides said 'I firmly believe that the establishment of the National Security Council, beyond addressing a longstanding weakness of the Republic of Cyprus, will contribute to the upgrading of the role of the National Council'.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency