UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell attempted to open a back-door channel to Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year, as shared by those who had been briefed on such efforts with the Financial Times. Britain & its closest European allies feared that the Trump administration may sideline their interests over Ukraine.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, in a wide-ranging media briefing, intimated that he intends to use the country’s upcoming presidency of the EU to work closer with US President Donald Trump on Middle East policy.
The Cypriot president went to share more on his plans for potential engagement with Turkey, adding reference to the Brussels guide on how industries could prepare to meet its ambitious climate goals. The Cypriot president was attempting something few in Brussels would expect: warming up to Turkey.
Since 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus, Cyprus has remained divided for the past five decades. Only Ankara tends to recognise the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to this day.
The Cypriot President told FT in an exclusive interview that Cyprus had changed its approach to the EU-Turkey relationship. He had gone on to state that Cyprus wasn’t in a position to change its geography, so Turkey would remain a neighbour. As such, Cyprus prefers a neighbour that is close to the EU. Cyprus intends to take over the rotating EU presidency in January. This would enable Cyprus with the power to steer discussions among member states.
The Cypriot President is said to have floated the idea of inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to informal EU meetings during his tenure. The Cypriot President had gone on to state that the EU presidency wasn’t a mere Cypriot presidency, as that role was expected to give a positive message towards EU-Turkish relations.
