In a recent podcast, Nicos Anastasiades reiterated his stance that Turkey was not ready to relinquish its unilateral intervention rights, attributing the failure of the 2017 Crans-Montana settlement talks to Turkish pressure on Mustafa Akinci. However, this narrative faces scrutiny due to conflicting testimonies from key figures including Akinci, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and leaked UN minutes that suggest Turkey was open to ending its intervention rights under certain conditions.

Several voices have challenged Anastasiades’ account, highlighting contradictions regarding discussions of a two-state solution and motives behind Turkey’s negotiation stance. UN Secretary-General’s notes indicate that proposals were allegedly misunderstood or misrepresented, and questions arise about the alleged misinformation spread by UN official Espen Barth Eide, with calls for investigation remaining unanswered.

The debate has led to significant public skepticism, with a recent poll revealing only 1% of Cypriots regard Anastasiades as the most honest president, emphasizing doubts over his interpretation of events. The controversy underscores the complex interplay of political narratives, mistrust, and the enduring challenges in resolving the Cyprus issue.