The two leaders head to New York with no major breakthrough after yesterday’s two-hour meeting though, according to the UN, a “good discussion” was had on confidence-building measures (CBMs), methodology and substance.
In a press statement, the UN added that “the two leaders will brief the UN Secretary-General on their work and discuss the way forward”.
Speaking after the meeting, President Nikos Christodoulides said he tabled “new ideas” in all three areas where progress is required for the UNSG to convene a new 5+1 meeting.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said the discussion went “relatively better” than the previous one on 9 September, which lasted half the time and did not produce a UN statement after.
‘Much still to do’
Both leaders went into Thursday’s bilateral with António Guterres’ words ringing in their ears.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the UN chief put to bed the idea first floated by President Christodoulides that there may be joint meetings in New York. Responding to a question, Guterres said there would be no trilateral or 5+1 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“There is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
A new meeting will take place “when conditions are met for the meeting to be successful,” he noted, adding, “We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.”
New ideas
On his return to the Presidential Palace, Christodoulides said it was a “good” meeting which produced some movement. He said he put forward “some new ideas” on CBMs, substance and methodology, which the Turkish Cypriot leader will examine.
Erhürman asked for some clarifications, which were given, but “there was no negative response,” said the president, who said he will wait to hear the Turkish Cypriot leader’s final position before elaborating on these new elements.
Asked if the ideas were new or built on existing proposals, he said some were new. “We submitted some very specific new ideas and approaches” on convergences which are linked to the issue of substance, he noted.
“I believe these are proposals and ideas that can lead us to positive developments in the near future."
Asked if developments could come as early as next week, Christodoulides said it depends on the final positions taken.
“They are ideas which, if the necessary political will exists, could lead to developments as early as next week,” he said.
Regarding areas where the sides appear to have reached deadlock, Christodoulides said, in the search for results, the leaders set aside issues where they had different approaches and views.
“A dialogue that continuously focuses on points of disagreement will not produce results. We want results.”
He indicated that he will put forward additional ideas when he meets with Guterres next week, adding that if the UN chief sees fit to convene a trilateral or expanded conference, he is prepared to remain in New York longer for that to happen.
The president said he also spoke on the phone with EU Special Representative on Cyprus Raffaele Fitto about some ideas relating to the EU in the morning.
Pre-meeting thoughts
Before the meeting, Christodoulides told reporters he was heading to the UN compound for his 11th meeting with Erhürman, taking with him “19 very specific points” concerning substance, methodology and CBMs.
Asked if he would discuss the issue of mixed marriages, the president said this was not a CBM.
Asked if Guterres ruling out new meetings in New York put pressure on the sides, Christodoulides rejected the notion, suggesting the UNSG has a busy week planned, with 186 bilateral meetings scheduled.
“We believe the necessary groundwork exists for us to proceed to an expanded conference. What I believe is lacking is political will," he said on his way to meet the Turkish Cypriot leader.
‘Relatively better’ but not good enough
For his part, Erhürman acknowledged that the meeting went “relatively better” than the last one, but focused attention on Guterres’ earlier comments. Specifically, he pointed out that there is still much work to be done.
"There will not be a 5+1 simply for the sake of having one," he said, adding that a new meeting must be results-oriented.
Erhürman added: "We have always said that if these processes did not produce a result, then something different must be done this time. The Secretary-General also said that mistakes will not be repeated."
Under current circumstances, the sides were not at a point where an expanded meeting could take place, though efforts were continuing, he said.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said he wanted a 5+1 to be held but believed the necessary preparations had to be made in Nicosia for it to produce meaningful results.
He emphasised that both Guterres and his Personal Envoy María Angela Holguín considered CBMs as an “indispensable” element for holding a new 5+1. This required building trust through new initiatives while avoiding steps that erode trust, he added.
Mixed picture
According to Politis sources, both sides agree that yesterday’s meeting was held in a better climate, though they have very different takes on the prospects it created.
On the Greek Cypriot side, the mood on entering the room was not optimistic, given all that had preceded the meeting. However, following the discussions, there was a sense that there might be room for forward movement, without ruling out the potential for developments after the UN General Assembly if things go well.
The Turkish Cypriot viewpoint was neither optimistic nor cautiously so. Despite the improved climate, there was no progress on the issues at hand and no positive change in any of the Greek Cypriot positions, said a source. Whether the better climate can lead to some openings in the coming weeks remains to be seen, they added.
New York, New York
Christodoulides flies to New York on Saturday, where he will meet with the Jordanian King on Monday and UN envoy Holguín the day after. On Thursday, he will brief UNSG Guterres on the latest. On Friday, he meets the Chinese Vice President while throughout the week, the president will hold contacts with officials from Chevron, ExxonMobil and the American Jewish Committee before flying back to Cyprus on Sunday.
Erhürman heads out to New York on Wednesday for meetings with Holguín and Guterres.
