Christodoulides cites intensive preparations for Cyprus talks at UN General Assembly
President Nikos Christodoulides said preparations are under way to seek an announcement on resuming Cyprus problem negotiations during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.
Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that “feverish” preparations are continuing ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week in New York, with the aim of securing tangible results on the Cyprus problem.
He said the desired outcome is an announcement on the resumption of substantive negotiations.
Preparations ahead of New York meetings
Christodoulides said a meeting of negotiators was taking place on Monday as part of preparations for the General Assembly week, which begins in New York next Monday.
“What I can tell you is that preparations are continuing – feverish preparations – and a meeting of the negotiators is taking place today, so that during the general assembly week, results may emerge which lead to the desired goal,” he said.
He added that the desired goal was “the announcement of the resumption of negotiations” on the Cyprus problem.
UN contacts and planned meetings
Asked about a telephone conversation between UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his Cyprus problem envoy Maria Angela Holguin, which had been expected to take place last week, Christodoulides confirmed that it had taken place.
“We have received an initial briefing. I will not disclose the outcome of the discussion,” he said.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman’s undersecretary Mehmet Dana and Greek Cypriot chief negotiator Menelaos Menelaou are expected to meet on Monday. Christodoulides and Erhurman are expected to meet on Thursday for the final time before both travel to New York.
Convergences document
Following his most recent meeting with Erhurman last week, Christodoulides said a document listing convergences reached in Cyprus problem talks would be ready within days.
He said that, once the document is ready, a joint meeting in New York may take place with either the UN secretary-general or his personal envoy, at leader or negotiator level.
“We will see,” he said, adding that such a meeting was based on information received but was not certain.
Outstanding issues
Christodoulides said last week’s discussion had continued on methodology, substance and confidence-building measures.
He said there had been progress and common understanding on some matters, while disagreements and differing approaches remained on others.
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