Christodoulides links broader Cyprus meeting to UN talks and EU diplomacy

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday that a broader meeting concerning the Cyprus problem would hinge on progress through two diplomatic tracks: UN-backed discussions and EU initiatives. He was speaking following talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.

UN visit and EU contacts

Christodoulides said the prospects would be shaped by discussions about negotiating substance and methodology during the forthcoming visit by Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, alongside the outcome of continuing EU diplomatic contacts.

He said an important EU-related meeting was being held on Tuesday, but would not confirm whether he meant talks between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and European Council President Antonio Costa.

“I do not want to say anything before the EU makes an announcement,” he said. He added that Nicosia expected a briefing on the outcome later that day.

Discussions with Erhurman

Christodoulides gave a positive assessment of his meeting with Erhurman, saying substantive matters and methodology had dominated the discussion. He said both sides had raised numerous questions and sought clarifications, with those exchanges set to continue when Holguin visits.

Her visit starts on October 29 and includes individual meetings with each leader, followed by a trilateral meeting on November 9.

Confidence-building proposals

Turning to confidence-building measures, Christodoulides said Erhurman had yet to respond to several Greek Cypriot proposals. Around six or seven of the 19 proposals he had previously presented were still awaiting answers, while others had been rejected.

“Just because something has been rejected does not mean we do not bring it back to the table,” he said. As an example, he cited the Technical Committee on Youth, saying it had required two years to secure acceptance.