Christodoulides and Erhurman to discuss new crossing points on August 26

Nicosia, Cyprus. Progress on confidence-building measures, particularly the opening of new crossing points, is expected to be high on the agenda when President Nikos Christodoulides meets Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on August 26.

The two leaders are expected to assess whether there is willingness on the Turkish Cypriot side to advance the issue, according to sources cited by the Cyprus News Agency.

Crossing points proposal

The issue has previously been discussed in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the sources said.

Guterres has also submitted a proposal to which the Greek Cypriot side responded positively, they added.

The negotiators of both sides are expected to meet before August 26 to prepare for the meeting between the two leaders.

Expanded meeting preparations

Preparations must continue on the substance of negotiations ahead of the next expanded meeting on the Cyprus problem, the sources said.

A document recording convergences reached during previous rounds of talks is being prepared and will be provided to all parties, including the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides and the three guarantor powers.

Once the process is completed, Guterres is expected to move towards convening the expanded meeting. The document outlining the convergences is expected to be handed to the parties within weeks.

Resumption of negotiations

The objective of the expanded meeting is to reach a decision on resuming formal negotiations, the sources said.

Following his joint meeting with Christodoulides and Erhurman in Nicosia on July 29, Guterres announced his intention to convene another 5+1 meeting after appropriate preparations on confidence-building measures, methodology and substance.