Cyprus leaders expected to discuss more frequent meetings next week

Nicosia, Cyprus. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives have agreed in principle that President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman should meet more frequently, aiming to prepare for an enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem.

Negotiators’ meeting

The issue was discussed on Thursday by Greek Cypriot chief negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and Erhurman’s undersecretary Mehmet Dana.

Sources said both representatives supported more frequent meetings between the leaders. The precise frequency is expected to be decided when Christodoulides and Erhurman meet next Wednesday.

United Nations framework

Erhurman had previously called for weekly meetings to complete the “homework” set by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to Cyprus last month.

Guterres said an enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem would be convened “after adequate progress” on confidence-building measures, the meeting’s methodology and the substance of talks.

Presidential press officer Victor Papadopoulos said Christodoulides was ready to hold weekly meetings with Erhurman to achieve the progress required for an enlarged meeting.

“Anything that can lead us to the goal of resuming talks and resolving the Cyprus problem, the president of the republic is ready to do so,” he said.

Next steps

Sources said Thursday’s negotiators’ meeting produced no decisions that would change the situation on the ground. Menelaou and Dana also discussed the agenda for next Wednesday’s leaders’ meeting.

No further negotiators’ meetings are planned before then, although both officials will remain available to meet should the need arise.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Christodoulides would approach next week’s meeting with a “constructive attitude”, with the aim of moving towards an enlarged meeting.