Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman announced on Wednesday that recent discussions with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides did not yield an agreement on new confidence-building measures. The talks, held in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, were aimed at advancing efforts to resolve the longstanding Cyprus dispute.
During their hourlong meeting, the focus was primarily on establishing new confidence-building measures to foster progress in negotiations. However, Erhürman reported that the two sides were unable to reach a consensus, and they shared perspectives on both internal and external actions that were perceived as undermining the existing trust between the communities. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for progress, a sentiment echoed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has urged both parties to implement new measures and refrain from actions that could harm mutual trust.
Erhürman also mentioned that Maria Angela Holguin, the personal envoy of the UN secretary-general on Cyprus, would not be visiting the island before the UN General Assembly due to health-related issues. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging peace process.
The Cyprus peace negotiations have encountered numerous obstacles over the years, including a significant breakdown during reunification talks held in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017. While the Turkish Cypriot side continues to advocate for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, previous negotiations largely centered around a federal model.
The two leaders are scheduled to reconvene in the UN buffer zone on September 17. The upcoming meeting is set to proceed without the participation of Holguin, further underscoring the challenges that lie ahead in the pursuit of a resolution to the Cyprus conflict.