Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman referred on Wednesday to "actions and moves that erode trust", explaining in a social media post a term he has been using recently and citing an interview given to Turkish news agency ANKA by María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy on Cyprus. Erhürman said that, as new confidence-building measures are being discussed, he uses the term in his talks with the UN Secretary-General, his personal envoy and the diplomats he meets. As examples, he cited the cancellation of a festival and a Barcelona academy camp in the north, efforts to prevent meetings between Turkish Cypriot representatives and foreign diplomats, what he described as one-sided and biased decisions in the European Parliament driven by intensive efforts from Cypriot MEPs, and arrests connected to property issues.
Holguín's answer
Referring to the ANKA interview, Erhürman said journalist Yusuf Kanlı asked Holguín whether a favourable environment could be created while the Greek Cypriot side tries to restrict the international contacts of Turkish Cypriot representatives and the Turkish Cypriot side points to other steps undermining trust. According to Erhürman's post, Holguín replied "Absolutely not," explaining that such things only complicate an already complex issue. She said negotiations do not emerge on their own or out of a hostile environment, but require understanding and acceptance of the other side and its existence, adding that she had raised the matter with the negotiators several times, particularly over the past month. Erhürman said he wanted to put the answer on record so it would not be lost in the debate, describing it as extremely important for the processes that will follow.
Source: CNA
