Greek Cypriot Press: Property Issue Dominates Negotiation Agenda

According to the Greek Cypriot press, this demand was raised in connection with the planned multilateral Cyprus talks scheduled for July. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, meanwhile, said that Holguin’s contacts abroad would be decisive.

Greek Cypriot newspaper Fileleftheros ran the headline, "Setting Conditions About Usurpers – Tatar Presses for an End to Prosecutions in Light of July's Multilateral Talks", and covered the meeting between Tatar and Holguin, as well as subsequent statements.

The paper reported that President Tatar linked his demand for an end to arrests over Greek Cypriot property in the TRNC to prospects for progress on the Cyprus issue and the July multilateral meeting. It also quoted President Christodoulides, who stated that he is confident another meeting with Holguin will take place and stressed that her contacts abroad—particularly in Turkey—would be of "decisive importance" in determining the course of the Cyprus issue.

Christodoulides said potential dates for the next meeting with Holguin were being discussed and that announcements would be made once the meeting was confirmed. He also expressed his view to Holguin that it would be beneficial for the three sides to sit down together for open discussions to foster positive developments and bring them closer to the July goal.

Referring to Tatar’s statements on Greek Cypriot property, Christodoulides noted that some of the comments upset him and referred to publications supporting Turkish positions. He said that some in the Greek Cypriot community argued against enforcing the law due to the tense climate, but he emphasized that laws must be applied equally and reiterated that the executive has no influence over the judiciary.

Politis newspaper, under the headline "Holguin Searching for Ways Forward on CBMs – Complaints from Tatar About Usurpers", commented that Holguin, facing a negative climate, was trying to find ways to implement Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) and to prepare for the upcoming five-party talks in July. The paper suggested that the strongest obstacle Holguin faces is the Turkish Cypriot side’s stern reaction to criminal proceedings over Greek Cypriot properties in the TRNC.

Alithia reported under the headline, "Cyprus Issue Agenda Has Shifted – In the End, the Issue of Greek Cypriot Property Usurpation Has Taken Over Just Weeks Before Expanded Talks", that the CBM package has been sidelined by the crisis over Greek Cypriot property in Northern Cyprus. The paper claimed that the process has "gone off the rails" and the UN has been confined to a passive role, while suggesting that the new expanded negotiations may take place in New York toward the end of July.

Haravgi also covered the developments with the headline, "Tatar Links Informal Five-Party Meeting to Arrests Over Greek Cypriot Property – Christodoulides: Holguin’s Foreign Contacts Are of Decisive Importance."