UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin is due to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Monday, as diplomatic contacts continue ahead of a joint meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides next week.
Holguin will hear Erhurman’s account of his recent discussions with Christodoulides, after meeting the President on Friday to receive his assessment, according to CyBC.
The separate meetings form part of preparations for a November 9 meeting involving Holguin and the two leaders.
New crossing points remain among key issues
The upcoming meeting provides another opportunity for the sides to assess their positions and explore possible areas of agreement, although no breakthrough has yet been announced.
For people affected by the island’s division, progress on practical issues could have a direct impact on everyday life. The opening of new crossing points is among the matters discussed by the leaders, but no agreement has been reached so far, according to Turkish Cypriot newspaper Bugün Kıbrıs.
The leaders have also agreed to refrain from making public statements about the substance of their discussions until talks resume in Holguin’s presence, leaving details of their exchanges largely undisclosed.
Holguin to meet Morphou delegation
Holguin’s visit will also include contacts beyond the two leaders.
According to CyBC, the UN envoy is expected to meet a delegation from Morphou municipality, while discussions involving people directly concerned with Famagusta are also expected later in the week.
Monday’s meeting with Erhurman will provide an opportunity to clarify the positions of the two sides ahead of the November 9 encounter.
The focus will then turn to whether the discussions can produce an agreed way forward on issues affecting everyday life in Cyprus.
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