‘Holguin’s goals block out two states’

Efforts by UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin for a viable solution of the Cyprus problem and a common future do not allow for Turkish demands for two states, head of the president’s press office Victoras Papadopoulos said on Tuesday.

Papadopoulos said Nikos Christodoulides was striving to resume Cyprus talks from where they left off at Crans Montana.

Responding to Tatar’s statement on Sunday about two states and EU accession, Papadopoulos said these remarks were “the same as the ones the Turkish side has been making over the past period.”

A two-state solution “cannot be accepted,” Papadopoulos said.

He also pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus was already a full member of the EU and in the case of a solution the Turkish Cypriot side would be able to enjoy all the benefits.

Regarding a position expressed by Holguin about distancing from solutions of the past, Papadopoulos said “Holguin was clear, she was speaking about the process, it had nothing to do with Tatar’s statements.”

“We will await Holguin’s report to the UN secretary-general,” he said.

What is important, Papadopoulos said, was that Holguin “continues her efforts and pursues a viable solution for a common future.

“A common future and viable solution do not go hand in hand with the two states Tatar is asking for,” Papadopoulos stressed.

Replying to questions, Papadopoulos said Christodoulides maintained close cooperation with Greece and “we are in complete agreement.

“The diplomatic efforts made by the president of the republic, those that are evident and those that are not, are in the direction of activating the international factor, so that the Turkish side will return to the negotiating table to resume negotiations from where they left off at Crans Montana,” Papadopoulos concluded.