President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman are due to meet on Tuesday at 11:00 in the United Nations Good Offices Mission offices near Nicosia’s former airport, as efforts to advance the Cyprus issue continue.
The meeting follows their discussions last week, when the two leaders agreed to meet again to continue their talks, according to the United Nations.
They are also looking ahead to the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguín.
Hopes for progress on a new crossing point
Christodoulides said on Monday that he was approaching the meeting with one clear objective: to achieve positive developments.
He also expressed hope that an announcement could be made on the opening of a new crossing point.
Asked whether an agreement could be announced, the President replied: “Hopefully.”
He added that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to proceed if the Turkish Cypriot side responded positively.
Christodoulides said the discussions covered several issues raised by the UN Secretary-General, including substance, methodology and confidence-building measures.
Trilateral meeting with UN envoy expected in October
The President also announced that a trilateral meeting involving himself, Erhürman and Holguín was expected to take place within October.
He said discussions were ongoing and that dates had already been proposed for Holguín’s visit and a joint meeting with the two leaders.
Christodoulides said the Greek Cypriot side had responded positively and expressed hope that the meeting on Tuesday would produce positive news. He added that the United Nations would announce the exact date.
Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot side had also responded positively, the President said he did not wish to speak on its behalf. He referred to Erhürman’s public statements and said further comments could be made after Tuesday’s meeting.
Leaders to attend joint technical committee meetings
According to the UN announcement following last week’s meeting, the two leaders also agreed to participate jointly in upcoming meetings of three bodies:
- The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
- The Technical Committee on Youth.
- The Coordination Committee of the Advisory Body of Civil Society.
Their participation is part of the ongoing efforts to promote cooperation and confidence-building between the two communities.
Tuesday’s meeting comes as the two sides continue discussions on confidence-building measures and the wider framework for renewed efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.
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