The newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, presented a comprehensive package of ten confidence-building proposals during his first meeting today with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.
The encounter — held with the participation of the two negotiating teams and followed by a 15-minute one-to-one discussion between the two leaders — marked the first real test of intentions following the recent change in leadership in the occupied north.
According to Turkish Cypriot media, Erhürman said after the meeting that he had submitted a set of ten confidence-building measures designed to “improve daily life and foster trust” between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
The ten proposals in detail
The package includes measures relating to:
- Registration of citizenship for children from mixed marriages.
- Allowing settlers married to Turkish Cypriots to hold driving licences and own vehicles in the government-controlled areas.
- Resolving the status of individuals born in the occupied north who currently cannot cross into the free areas.
- Introducing a three-booth system at the Agios Dometios crossing point.
- Enhancing facilities at the Astromeritis/Zodia and Deryneia checkpoints.
- Organising U14 friendly football matches through the Technical Committee on Youth.
- Strengthening the work of the Committee on Missing Persons and condemning actions that undermine the climate of trust, including the burning of flags.
- Mutual visits by the two leaders.
- Ending arrests or legal action related to property disputes which, he argued, poison the atmosphere.
- Addressing obstacles to trade across the Green Line.
- Finalising the halloumi/hellim registration process in line with previously agreed arrangements.
- Re-establishing the EU Ad-hoc Committee, which ceased to operate after the Crans-Montana talks.
- Creating a direct communication channel between the two sides’ security services.
Erhürman characterised the proposals as practical steps that could yield immediate benefits and help rebuild confidence at a time when the political process requires fresh momentum. The Cypriot President is expected to review the suggestions and respond in the coming days.
Also read: Christodoulides Erhürman meeting
