President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman are expected to discuss whether the Turkish Cypriot side is prepared to make progress on confidence-building measures when they meet on 26 August.
According to information obtained by the Cyprus News Agency, the discussion will focus particularly on crossing points, an issue already raised before United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Focus on confidence-building measures
Competent sources told CNA that the meeting will examine whether there is a willingness on the Turkish Cypriot side to advance confidence-building measures, particularly those concerning crossing points.
The sources noted that the issue had already been discussed in the presence of Guterres. They also referred to a proposal submitted by the UN Secretary-General, to which the Greek Cypriot side responded positively.
The negotiators of the two sides are expected to meet beforehand to prepare for the 26 August meeting.
Preparations for expanded Cyprus meeting
Regarding the next expanded meeting on the Cyprus problem, the sources said preparations must continue with a focus on the substance of the issue.
The convergences already reached are currently being recorded and will be shared with all parties involved, including the two sides in Cyprus and the guarantor powers. Guterres is then expected to convene the expanded meeting.
According to the same sources, the convergences are expected to be circulated within weeks.
The aim is for the expanded meeting to produce a decision on the resumption of formal negotiations.
Guterres plans another 5+1 meeting
Following his joint meeting with Christodoulides and Erhürman in Nicosia on 29 July, Guterres announced that he would convene another 5+1 meeting after appropriate preparation.
That groundwork will cover confidence-building measures, methodology and the substance of the Cyprus problem, taking into account the convergences already achieved.
Source: CNA.
