Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı says the Cyprus issue is now further from a settlement than it was during previous efforts, following a meeting with María Ángela Holguín, the personal envoy of the United Nations secretary-general.
In a social media post after the meeting, Akıncı reflected on what he described as the growing distance between today's situation and the circumstances that existed in 2004, when the issue reached the referendum stage, and in 2017, when negotiations came close to a breakthrough.
According to Akıncı, current discussions are no longer about the substance of a settlement but about the conditions required to restart negotiations themselves.
"Where did we start and where have we reached?" he wrote, expressing frustration over years of stalemate.
"Guterres inherited a different Cyprus problem"
Akıncı also referred to António Guterres, noting that when the UN secretary-general took office nearly a decade ago, prospects for a settlement appeared significantly stronger.
He argued that the Cyprus issue was close to a solution at the time, whereas today the two sides have not even managed to re-establish a formal negotiating table.
"Guterres inherited a Cyprus problem that was close to a solution. He will hand over a Cyprus problem that is far from a solution and where it is not even possible to set up a negotiating table."
Akıncı added that he believes the UN chief hopes to secure at least some progress before the end of his term.
Even new crossing points would be considered progress
The former Turkish Cypriot leader also referred to efforts to open additional crossing points between the two sides.
He suggested that reaching agreement on even one or two new crossing points would now be regarded as meaningful progress, highlighting how expectations surrounding the Cyprus issue have diminished.
Despite his concerns, Akıncı expressed hope that the efforts of Guterres and Holguín would eventually produce results.
"I hope and wish that these efforts will have a positive outcome. Even if one or two additional crossing points are opened, it would be a step that makes life easier for Cypriots."
The comments come as diplomatic activity intensifies ahead of a trilateral meeting involving President Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Holguín on 9 November.
