Diplomatic activity surrounding the Cyprus issue has intensified in recent hours ahead of Monday’s trilateral meeting, with discussions focusing on the possibility of creating the conditions for direct negotiations.
Speaking on the Protoselido programme, Deputy Government Spokesperson Giannis Antoniou said discussions are under way on the methodology to determine whether common ground can be found to lead to direct negotiations.
He said this is where efforts are currently concentrated.
Four proposed crossing points under discussion
Asked specifically about the four proposed locations for opening new crossing points, Antoniou declined to comment further, saying the negotiations have reached a sensitive stage.
He urged patience, adding that a few more hours would be needed for developments to be finalised.
The four locations are among the key issues being discussed ahead of Monday’s trilateral meeting.
They include Mia Milia, the Louroujina–Lymbia area and the Athienou–Pyroi–Aglantzia route.
For the fourth location, the Greek Cypriot side is reportedly proposing an alternative connection between Kambos and Karavostasi instead of Kokkina, in an attempt to bypass one of the most difficult issues in the negotiations.
Efforts to establish common ground
The discussions on crossing points form part of broader diplomatic efforts to establish common ground and create the conditions for a return to direct negotiations.
The coming hours are expected to be important as the sides work towards finalising the issues ahead of Monday’s meeting.
Also read: Turkish FM to visit occupied Cyprus ahead of key talks
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