In a bid to advance the peace process for Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides engaged in talks on Wednesday but could not reach a consensus on new confidence-building measures. Their discussions, held in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, centered around strategies to enhance mutual trust and propel negotiations forward.
Erhürman noted that despite the dialogue, both parties were unable to agree on any new measures. He highlighted that there was an exchange of views concerning internal and external actions impacting the trust established between the communities. He emphasized the necessity for both sides to introduce fresh confidence-building initiatives and avoid actions that could further erode trust, aligning with the call from UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a conducive environment for progress.
The peace process in Cyprus has been fraught with challenges, notably the collapse of reunification talks in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017. The Turkish Cypriot leadership continues to advocate for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, contrasting with previous negotiations that aimed at a federal model.
Further complicating the situation, Erhürman mentioned that Maria Angela Holguin, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy on Cyprus, would not be visiting the island before the UN General Assembly due to health issues. Despite this setback, the two leaders are scheduled to reconvene in the UN buffer zone on September 17, with the meeting expected to proceed without Holguin’s involvement.