Erhurman: Not Very Productive But A Useful Meeting

President Tufan Erhurman made statements to the press following his meeting with Christodoulides, which was held at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin.

Erhurman said they would have preferred the meeting to take place after progress had been achieved on confidence-building measures (CBMs), but that the opportunity was used due to Holguin’s presence on the island. He described the meeting as beneficial in terms of helping the two sides understand each other better.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side spoke first at the meeting, Erhurman said they conveyed their views and proposals regarding the confidence-building measures presented by Christodoulides. He stressed that the desired level of trust had not yet been achieved and said he had also told Holguin that, under these conditions, a meeting in the 5+1 format would not be meaningful.

Erhurman said Christodoulides came to the meeting with a five-point proposal, adding that there was no essentially new element in these proposals and that issues previously raised separately were reiterated. He noted that the issue of crossing points contained partially different content, while the roadmap presented by the Greek Cypriot leader was a continuation of positions already expressed.

“Effective Participation And Rotating Presidency Must Be Accepted As Principles For Political Equality”

Referring to the four-point methodology he presented, Erhurman underlined that “effective participation” and “rotating presidency” must be accepted in principle as components of political equality, noting that no clear stance had been taken on these issues.

He said that a structure in which Turkish Cypriots would never be able to become head of state without a rotating presidency could not be accepted, stressing that these matters were issues of method and principle rather than substance, and that negotiations should be conducted within this framework.

“Without Agreement On Procedure, We Cannot Discuss Substance”

Erhurman said that existing convergences should not be ignored, that a time-bound negotiation process should be conducted, and that the fourth item of his proposal must also be accepted. He added that without agreement on these procedures, they would not sit at a formal negotiation table.

While emphasising the importance of confidence-building measures, Erhurman said they could not replace a comprehensive settlement. He noted that three meetings had been held over the past three months and that the aim was to give both communities a message that issues facilitating daily life, particularly in Nicosia, could be addressed.

“Not Very Productive But A Useful Meeting”

Erhurman also said he had conveyed that the two leaders could meet even without Holguin’s participation in order to move the process forward, and that Christodoulides had responded positively. In this context, he said a new leaders’ meeting without Holguin was expected to take place in about two weeks.

He added that the representatives of the two leaders were already meeting and that these contacts could be intensified.

Stating that the meeting could not be described as very productive but was useful, Erhurman said it contributed to a better mutual understanding between the two sides.

Erhurman Lists Christodoulides’ Five-Point Proposal

Erhurman also outlined the main points of the five-point proposal submitted by Christodoulides as follows:

– Reaffirmation of the basis for a settlement,
– Reaffirmation of the convergences achieved to date,
– Distribution of convergences concerning the five parties to the relevant sides,
– Holding a formal conference based on documents rather than an informal one,
– Discussion of the opening of four new crossing points at that conference.