Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman sent a low-key message ahead of UN Secretary-General António Guterres' visit to Cyprus, in a post on social media. He said the Turkish Cypriot side has completed its preparations for the process that begins with tomorrow's visit by the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, repeating that excessive expectations should not be built up around Guterres' visit to the island.
Erhürman said that, as the Turkish Cypriot side had repeatedly stated, he had deliberately avoided shaping public opinion through the media or engaging in an exchange of accusations ahead of the visit.
According to Erhürman, preparatory work and consultations have been completed, and the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for the process that begins tomorrow with Holguín's visit.
He also said that Guterres, UN officials and international public opinion are aware of the Turkish Cypriot side's positions, which he said are grounded in the will of Turkish Cypriots for a solution and in the conclusions drawn from past experience.
Not the start or the end
Erhürman said the Secretary-General's visit to the island is significant and forms part of the UN's ongoing efforts, but expressed the view that it should not be seen as the beginning or the end of any process, nor linked to the expectation of an imminent settlement.
At the same time, he said the Turkish Cypriot side supports the Secretary-General's efforts and seeks to contribute constructively and in good faith to the process, adding that the relevant work is being carried out, as in the past, in close coordination and consultation with the competent authorities of Turkey.
Erhürman concluded by saying the will of the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to guide the actions of the Turkish Cypriot side, and gave assurances that citizens would be kept informed of developments in good time, with the process continuing to involve and record the views of all parties concerned.
