First 100 Days Meeting At The Presidency: Without Tangible Progress, The Negotiation Process Cannot Be Expanded

Speaking at a press conference titled “100 Days at the Presidency,” held at the Presidential Palace’s White Hall, Erhürman shared with the public the diplomatic, institutional and political work carried out during his first 100 days in office. He made comprehensive evaluations on the Cyprus issue, confidence-building measures, the negotiation process and the method being followed.

Erhürman underlined that the Presidency is not merely a symbolic office, but an institution with internal authority and a coordination role in areas where it does not have direct competence. Recalling that during the election campaign they had promised to establish working groups for the first 100 days, he said that these “working units” have now been put into operation.

“WE ARE NOT AVOIDING THE FIVE-PLUS-ONE FORMAT, BUT RESULTS MUST FIRST BE ACHIEVED IN NICOSIA”

Assessing the Cyprus issue process, Erhürman recalled the situation inherited upon taking office. He noted that during the term of former President Ersin Tatar, Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) were discussed both in Geneva and New York. He stressed that such topics do not necessarily require international conferences and that meetings at this level can also be held in Nicosia.

Erhürman stated that the failure to achieve concrete results from the five-plus-one informal meetings held over the past five years led to a loss of prestige for the United Nations, the guarantor countries and the leaders. He emphasized that going to another five-plus-one meeting without progress on CBMs in Nicosia would not be correct.

“WE HELD THREE MEETINGS IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS”

In line with the commitment made during the election period, Erhürman said that three meetings between the two leaders were held under UN auspices within the first three months of his term. At the first meeting, they presented a four-point methodology proposal prepared well before the election, along with a 10-point CBM package.

He said work on these items is ongoing. Cabins were installed at the Metehan crossing point, but the arrangement could not be fully implemented due to incomplete roadworks in the buffer zone. He noted that no progress has yet been made regarding traffic arrangements at the Bostancı and Derinya crossings and on halloumi.

Erhürman said the aim is to achieve tangible progress on opening new crossings in order to build public confidence. He rejected claims that “the two leaders are conveying different things and Holguin is telling the truth,” stating that this does not reflect reality. He added that both in the context of CBMs and in intercommunal relations, developments have occurred that undermine trust, and that unilateral practices by the Greek Cypriot side negatively affect the climate of confidence.

“IN HRISTODULIDIS’ FIVE-POINT ROADMAP, ONLY ONE ITEM IS A CBM, AND IT CONCERNS THE ERENKÖY CROSSING, WHICH HAS REMAINED UNRESOLVED SINCE NEW YORK”

Erhürman said that at the last meeting, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Hristodoulides presented a new five-point proposal, of which only one constituted a Confidence-Building Measure, related to crossing points. He explained that proposals covering Haspolat–Kiracıköy and entertainment areas were raised. He also noted that Erenköy had not been included on the map that had been on the table since New York, but was added to the package with the latest proposals.

He said this made the process even more difficult, adding: “The issue has been taken to a point that is even harder to agree on than the meeting with the Secretary-General in New York. Instead of moving forward, a picture has emerged that makes compromise more difficult.”

“UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, A SOLUTION WILL TAKE TIME”

Recalling that the process is only three months old, Erhürman said it is natural for disagreements to surface at this stage. He pointed out that the Greek Cypriot Administration is currently holding the EU rotating presidency and that an election period has begun on the Greek Cypriot side, making compromise more difficult.

Erhürman stated that consultations with Turkey on the negotiation process continue uninterrupted. “If a solution is desired in Cyprus, all three guarantor countries must be involved in the process,” he said.

THREE AGREEMENTS REACHED WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER

Erhürman recalled that on 11 December 2025, he and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Hristodoulides jointly visited the Committee on Missing Persons Anthropology Laboratory, and afterwards held a meeting at the UN Good Offices area in the buffer zone with the participation of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin.

He said that a joint statement was issued by the UN following the meeting and that agreement was reached on three issues within the framework of CBMs:

• Completion of procedures to authorize Bureau Veritas Paris in order to make exports of halloumi from the country possible,

• Acknowledgment that arrests and prosecutions related to property negatively affect the environment and that steps must be taken on this issue,

• Resolving problems related to the implementation of the Green Line Regulation.

Erhürman stressed that despite the current situation, he is not disappointed, that the talks will continue, and that the Presidency will always remain at the table.

INTENSIVE DIPLOMACY IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS

Erhürman said that since taking office, he has carried out numerous diplomatic contacts, meetings and visits. Within the first 100 days, he met with six ambassadors and raised the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people on every platform.

THE PROPOSED 10-POINT CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES PACKAGE

The 10 proposals presented by President Erhürman are as follows:

1. EU citizenship rights of children from mixed marriages and problems faced by TRNC citizens when crossing to the south

2. Increasing the number of booths at the Metehan crossing point

3. Granting traffic permits at the Bostancı and Derinya crossings

4. Organizing friendship matches for children under the age of 14

5. A joint visit by the two leaders to the Committee on Missing Persons

6. Eliminating the negative climate created by arrests and prosecutions related to property

7. Resolving difficulties in the implementation of the Green Line Regulation

8. Authorization of Bureau Veritas Paris on halloumi and establishment of a new technical committee

9. Resumption of the work of the EU Harmonization Committee

10. Joint participation of the two leaders in road-widening works in the buffer zone at Metehan

ESTABLISHED WORKING UNITS

The following units have been established within the Presidency:

• EU Citizenship and Free Movement Unit

• Maritime Jurisdiction and Energy Unit

• Export and Tourism Unit

• Cultural Heritage Unit

• Youth Coordination Unit

• Public Administration Monitoring and Citizen Complaints Evaluation Unit

• Europe Relations Unit

• Political Parties Council

• Education Unit

• Economy Unit

• Property Unit

• Environment and Climate Unit

• Republican Security Council

• Public Diplomacy Unit

• Culture and Arts Unit

• Sports Unit

• Preparations for Negotiations Unit

• Technical Committees Coordination Unit

• Social Unity and Cohesion Unit

• Constitution Protection, Legislative Monitoring and Evaluation Unit

“THESE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD EVERY 100 DAYS”

President Erhürman said that the first 100 days mark the beginning of a path toward a fairer, stronger and more hopeful future, and that he will continue to work so that children can live in an equal, free, healthy and happy country.

He concluded by stating that press conferences will be held every 100 days throughout his term, and that these meetings will continue on a regular basis.