Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman defended four stipulations he says must be met for Cyprus negotiations to restart, ahead of the arrival of UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin. Holguin is due to arrive on the island on Monday.
Four stipulations for renewed talks
Erhurman said the four points, sometimes referred to as “preconditions” which he said he resents as a term, include the Greek Cypriot side accepting political equality, negotiations being time-limited, and all past agreements being preserved. He also said the UN must guarantee that embargoes on Turkish Cypriots would be lifted if the Greek Cypriot side leaves the negotiating table again.
Focus on political equality
Erhurman said his experience with the Cyprus problem’s intractability is clear to him and described the Greek Cypriot leadership’s refusal to accept political equality as the biggest obstacle to a solution. He said political equality is the first point of the four-point methodology proposal he has put forward and that he would not go to the negotiating table without agreement on the methodology, stating he made this position clear both before and after the election.
He said the aim is to avoid negotiations ending in further disappointment, adding that he wants talks for the sake of a solution rather than talks for their own sake. He said he believes there will be no solution without political equality.
Erhurman said there is nothing new in his stance and added that a large segment of the Turkish Cypriot community wants a solution, as does he. He said a large segment does not see an agreement without political equality as a solution, and that his view on this has not changed and will not change.
Holguin’s schedule
Holguin is set to meet Erhurman and President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday, and the three will hold a trilateral meeting on Wednesday.
Expectation for concrete results
Erhurman said on Monday that he hopes Holguin’s visit will yield concrete results aimed at creating an atmosphere for a solution, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for the meeting.
What outcomes do you expect from Holguin’s meetings with Erhurman and Christodoulides this week?
