The recent 2+1 trilateral meeting organised by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in New York, indicates the start of a new process for seeking a solution to the Cyprus issue, according to Turkish expert analyst on Cyprus, Yusuf Kanli.
Kanli notes that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is taking a leading role in shaping this new roadmap.
Governance: Both Communities in the Foreground
This process will be examined under three main headings, Kanli explains, beginning with “Governance.” Within this framework, a 2+1 meeting is planned, involving representatives from the two communities of Cyprus and the UN.
Security: Participation of the Guarantor Powers
The second heading concerns “Security,” with a 4+1 meeting to be organised, involving Greece, Turkey, and the two communities of Cyprus.
Guarantees: Partnership with All Parties
Finally, the third heading, “Guarantees,” will include a 5+1 meeting, with the participation of the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey, and the UN.
Turkey’s Diplomatic Weakness
However, an important aspect arising from this new process is that Turkey and the “TRNC” have not openly expressed their concerns regarding the direction of the process, as Kanli points out.
This silence creates a weak diplomatic position for Turkey, which may limit its ability to intervene and influence developments in the search for a solution.