Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said on Friday he believed the two leaders needed to agree on some issues in Nicosia, before calling a 5+1 meeting with the guarantor powers under UN auspices.
Speaking after his first in-person meeting since taking office with the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, María Ángela Holguín, Erhürman referred to the prospect of convening a new informal 5+1 meeting.
“Let us resolve some issues in Nicosia, be sure of the outcome, and at a meeting in another country, in which the UN Secretary-General and the guarantor powers will participate, we will be able to send positive messages to everyone and say: ‘We have solved these issues,’ and this will contribute to creating a positive atmosphere.”
For a 5+1 meeting to be effective, the necessary preparations must be made in Nicosia, solutions must be found, and then we can proceed accordingly, he said.
Methodology proposals and CBMs
Regarding his one-hour meeting with Holguín, Erhürman said he discussed three main issues, while also raising the matter of serious traffic congestion at the Agios Dometios crossing.
The Turkish Cypriot leader presented in detail his four-point methodology proposal for the resumption of negotiations, as well as the 10-point package of proposals tabled at the first leaders’ meeting last month. The two also reassessed the confidence-building measures (CBMs) agreed between Christodoulides and his predecessor Ersin Tatar at the informal 5+1 meetings earlier this year in Geneva and New York.
Regarding CBMs, Erhürman discussed the issue of new crossing points at Mia Milia, Louroudjina and Pyroi, as well as the bicommunal project to install solar panels in the buffer zone with EU support.
He described the meeting as extremely productive and very useful in terms of better mutual understanding.
Checkpoint congestion affecting people’s daily lives
Regarding the Agios Dometios checkpoint, the Turkish Cypriot leader said his representative Mehmet Dana and office director Mustafa Ergüven went in person to see the situation on the ground, observing that the Greek Cypriot booths were not operating efficiently. Erhürman noted that the “solution to this problem is very simple.” He conveyed regret to Holguín that this problem was not solved earlier as requested by the Turkish Cypriot side. Instead, people’s daily lives are affected as they have to endure a one-two hour wait at the checkpoint, he said.
While the aim is to strengthen relations between the communities, Erhürman expressed regret that after such a long time and a very specific request, there has been no response. He noted that Greek Cypriots are also complaining about insufficient staffing at the Greek Cypriot checkpoints.
Erhürman said he was ready to speak or meet again with Holguín if needed before the trilateral meeting on December 11.
Responding to questions, Erhürman confirmed that he also discussed the issue of guarantees and other topics that he felt obliged to respond to such as the recent maritime delimitation agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon.
Public need to get behind leaders
In statements to the press, the UN personal envoy stressed after the meeting the importance of people supporting the leaders’ efforts, while noting the leaders also were expected to deliver.
Holguín, who will meet with President Nikos Christodoulides on Saturday morning, said she looked forward to hosting both leaders on December 11.
The UN envoy said she had a “very good” and “useful conversation” with Erhürman whom she congratulated for his new post. Holguín expressed her wish for the two leaders to have a "very productive and very concrete" conversation when she hosts them next Thursday.
Referring to her recent meeting in Amman with members of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Youth, the Colombian former minister said she hoped people realise they must support this effort of the leaders, adding that the leaders also have to deliver.
"This is my message, and I hope we have a very good and productive week," said Holguín.
Source: CNA