Christodoulides: EU Steps Toward Turkey Must Depend on Progress in Cyprus Talks

In an interview with Kathimerini, Christodoulides said he has consistently maintained that Turkey will not move forward in the Cyprus issue unless it perceives clear benefits from a solution, adding that the EU is the only actor capable of providing such incentives.

He pointed to visa liberalisation, the modernisation of the EU–Turkey Customs Union, and broader EU–Turkey cooperation as key tools in this regard.

“We launched a concrete strategy,” he said, noting efforts to secure an EU-appointed envoy and ongoing contacts with European officials. He added that coordination with the United Nations had intensified following recent diplomatic engagements.

Christodoulides said the Cyprus issue is being aligned with EU–Turkey relations, stressing that Cyprus had worked hard to ensure this linkage was reflected in European Council conclusions in 2024.

“No concessions without progress in Cyprus”

He underlined that Turkey should not receive “anything without reciprocity,” arguing that any EU benefits must be tied to concrete progress in the Cyprus negotiations.

“There can be no situation where Turkey receives something and then does nothing on Cyprus,” he said.

Referring to the April 2024 European Council conclusions, he noted that they include a phased, proportional and reversible approach, and insisted that any EU–Turkey steps must be conditional on movement in the Cyprus issue.

“No room for constructive ambiguity”

Asked about the negotiation framework, Christodoulides rejected the idea of “constructive ambiguity,” calling it dangerous.

“There is absolutely no constructive ambiguity. We experienced the dangers of it in 2004,” he said, referring to the Annan Plan period.

He stressed that core issues such as security and guarantees must be clearly defined, saying there can be no “middle ground” or vague formulations.

Christodoulides added that any settlement must be workable and sustainable, even if it is not perceived as fully “just” by all sides, noting that a return to the pre-1974 status quo is impossible.

“Solution will not be fully fair”

He acknowledged that any Cyprus settlement would inevitably involve compromises, stating that a fully “just” solution would imply reverting to the pre-1974 situation, which he said is unrealistic.

“What matters is that the solution is functional and sustainable,” he said.

He also argued that one of the greatest missed opportunities in the Cyprus problem was in 1960, and stressed that any future agreement must ensure both internal functionality and external stability.

EU framework and future prospects

Christodoulides said the EU now plays a central role in shaping the parameters of the Cyprus settlement process and argued that European involvement has improved previous negotiating frameworks.

He expressed cautious optimism that, with sufficient political will, progress could be achieved by the end of the year, even if a comprehensive settlement is not immediately possible.

He added that failures in past negotiation processes had often led to worse proposals later, stressing the importance of avoiding another breakdown.

Foreign policy and regional cooperation

The Greek Cypriot leader also referred to recent foreign visits, praising Kazakhstan’s support for international law as particularly significant for the “Republic of Cyprus.”

He highlighted the strategic importance of defence cooperation with France following the signing of a SOFA agreement, and said it strengthens bilateral military collaboration.

Christodoulides also described the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnection project (Great Sea Interconnector) as a strategic energy priority for the region.