Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman was “open and honest” but produced no concrete results. The two met on Tuesday at the official residence of UN special representative Khassim Diagne in the buffer zone.
Meeting format and follow-up
Christodoulides said the meeting was not held under the UN’s auspices and marked the first time the two spoke without international facilitation. He said they would meet again “soon.”
Guidelines on confidence-building measures
Christodoulides said he and Erhurman agreed to provide guidelines to Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and Erhurman’s undersecretary Mehmet Dana on confidence-building measures. He said they reviewed all confidence-building measures agreed so far, including both observed progress and delays.
Crossing points and discussion on substance
On crossing points, Christodoulides referred to his suggestion for a second crossing point in Nicosia’s old town, specifically Lidinis Street, located east of Ledra Street and backing onto the old Bandabuliya municipal market in the north. He said specific instructions would be given to Menelaou and Dana, and that an open discussion was held on the substance of the Cyprus problem.
Commitment and planned visit
Christodoulides said the aim was to assess progress toward resuming talks and that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the agreed basis for a solution to the Cyprus problem. Earlier, Erhurman announced he intended to visit the Greek Cypriot school in Rizokarpaso during a day-long visit to Cyprus’ northeastern extremity on Wednesday.
What do you think the planned follow-up meeting should focus on to help resume talks?