Christodoulides says 19 Cyprus proposals remain open ahead of Erhurman meeting

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday that his 19 discussion points concerning the Cyprus problem remained open ahead of talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. The two leaders outlined different positions on what the meeting would cover.

Different views on the agenda

Christodoulides rejected suggestions that Tuesday’s talks would be restricted to the seven issues on which United Nations secretary-general Guterres had called for progress during his July visit to Cyprus. He said an agenda required agreement between the sides and that they had reached no such agreement.

He said the meeting would address his proposals alongside any subjects Erhurman wanted to introduce, adding that he had no objection to dialogue, discussion or negotiation.

Earlier, Erhurman had identified the seven confidence-building proposals presented by Guterres during his visit in late July as the meeting’s agenda. He said his side had accepted six of them and was attending with the intention of pursuing discussions focused on results.

The issues concerned crossing points, clearance of mines, citizenship for children of mixed marriages, sport, coordinated disaster response and a shared mechanism for tackling irregular migration.

Proposals submitted before New York visit

Christodoulides said both the UN secretary-general and Erhurman knew about his 19 points. According to the president, Erhurman had reserved his right to respond at their next meeting.

The president said he had specifically submitted the points before travelling to New York for the UN high-level week in late September. Despite his side’s wish to meet there, he said, a meeting had not been possible.

Christodoulides described his approach to Tuesday’s talks as positive and said he had the political will to resume discussions from the previous meeting, which he characterised as positive and which took place before the New York trip. He reiterated his hope for tangible, positive outcomes.

Details remain undisclosed

The contents of Christodoulides’ 19 points have not been made public. Following the latest National Council meeting, Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou said he had received information about them but had agreed to keep the details confidential.