Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said on Thursday that significant progress has been made since he was elected in October last year, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side is now much further ahead on the Cyprus issue than at the outset.
First 200 days in office
Speaking at a presentation of his first 200 days in the role, Erhurman said the Turkish Cypriot people have a will for a solution and that the president is obliged to work in line with that will.
He said that public support for a solution, as reflected in polls and his observations on the streets, is greater than the 63 per cent of the vote he received.
Negotiation approach
Erhurman said he has remained faithful to his four-point methodology, which he said must be met for negotiations on the Cyprus problem to recommence in earnest, and that he will continue to follow it.
He said the framework of the methodology is negotiation for the sake of a solution, not negotiation for the sake of negotiation, and added that the four points were prepared in good faith and in line with the will for a solution.
Comments on Antonio Guterres
Erhurman said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will retire at the end of the year, has not lost interest in the Cyprus problem despite his term nearing its end.
He said Guterres wants to evaluate the situation by giving it a special position and setting an agenda before he retires.
Erhurman said the most fundamental point raised by Guterres was the emphasis that this time it must be different, and added that this became the basis for their approach.
He also said Guterres spoke of a phased approach and time constraints in efforts to bring about a solution.
Past failures and new ideas
Erhurman said ideas were developed to achieve a different outcome in response to the failure to reach a conclusion after the Annan plan referendum and the Crans-Montana talks, both of which ended without a solution.
Confidence-building measures
On confidence-building measures and practical steps to be taken on the island before a solution is reached, Erhurman said he has held talks with the European Union on issues including Cyprus’ potential accession to the Schengen zone and the export of Turkish Cypriot halloumi to Europe.
He said the aim is to take steps on confidence-building measures in parallel with negotiations and added that, although the desired point has not yet been reached, positive steps have been taken.
