Nicosia, Cyprus. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Tuesday, as a new initiative seeks to resume substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem.
Erhurman told Guterres that the Turkish Cypriot community had a strong will for a just and lasting solution and would continue efforts on confidence-building measures.
Turkish Cypriot position
Welcoming Guterres to his official residence in the north, Erhurman said he believed the UN chief was aware of the Turkish Cypriot people’s strong will for a solution.
He said the Turkish Cypriot side was doing its best to fulfil its obligations concerning confidence-building measures.
Erhurman referred to the 2004 Annan plan referendum and the collapse of negotiations at Crans-Montana in 2017, saying that a new and realistic methodology was now being pursued to contribute to the shared goal of a solution.
He said the Turkish Cypriot side strongly supported and welcomed Guterres’ efforts and would continue to do its best.
UN secretary-general’s meetings
Following an earlier meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides, Guterres said his visit was an act of solidarity with the people of Cyprus and demonstrated his commitment to achieving a solution.
He said progress depended primarily on Cypriots themselves, while the island’s three guarantor powers also had a role to play. He added that he would do everything possible to support Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots at what he described as an important moment.
Guterres made similar comments after his meeting with Erhurman.
Further engagements
Later on Tuesday, Guterres was due to meet civil society groups and the Committee on Missing Persons.
He was also due to host an evening meal with both leaders at the official residence of UN special representative Khassim Diagne in the buffer zone in Nicosia.
On Wednesday, Guterres is scheduled to convene a tripartite meeting with both leaders at the UN good offices mission near the old Nicosia airport.
