Erhurman: One of the Most Open and Frank Meetings So Far

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Erhurman said the talks were held solely between the two leaders in an open atmosphere.

Erhurman noted that confidence-building measures were the main focus of the discussions. He said small progress had been made, while delays in certain areas were also reviewed. The two sides agreed that their representatives would continue regular meetings, and that the Greek Cypriot representative would formally brief Turkish Cypriot representative Mehmet Dana on issues related to delays. Both leaders agreed to meet again soon, although no date has yet been set.

“Useful, but not yet productive without concrete results”

Describing the meeting as “useful,” Erhurman said he reserves the term “productive” for talks that yield concrete outcomes. He stressed that the discussions were extremely open and sincere, adding that this was among the most candid meetings held to date.

Erhurman said core issues were also addressed, giving him the opportunity to explain his four-point methodology more clearly. He reiterated that all convergences achieved up to Crans-Montana should be accepted in principle. Starting a new negotiation process from scratch, he warned, would mean losing years. Revisiting each convergence individually would effectively amount to restarting negotiations. He emphasized that this position reflects his own methodology and is not linked to Turkey.

“This disease is not different in the north and the south”

The issue of 20,000 vaccine doses requested by the Greek Cypriot side within the scope of avian flu was also raised. Erhurman said the request was received the previous day and that, following consultations with the Minister of Agriculture, 10,000 doses would be delivered immediately, with the remaining 10,000 to follow within a few days. He added that he conveyed this positive response to Christodoulides at the start of the meeting.

Stressing that diseases affect the entire island, Erhurman said, “This disease is not different in the north and the south.” He added that the same principle applies to issues such as citrus crops and cactus plants, and that coordination through technical committees is essential.

“The children in Karpaz are also our children”

Erhurman was also asked about the school attended by Greek Cypriot students in Karpaz. He said his planned visit was not in response to any request and recalled his earlier statement that “the children in Karpaz are also our children.” He announced that he would visit the school the following day, as well as the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Secondary School in the same area.

Rejecting the notion of reciprocity in human rights, Erhurman said he would not approach children’s issues on the basis of mutual concessions. Referring to the education conditions of Turkish Cypriot students in Limassol, he said efforts would continue to resolve problems affecting all children.

“There is a need for a second vehicle crossing point”

On crossing points, Erhurman said a second vehicle crossing point is needed in Nicosia. He noted that the Haspolat issue has been under discussion since the period of Ersin Tatar and that current progress should not be wasted. He added that there is no present need for a new pedestrian crossing and that priority should be given to finalizing mature issues rather than introducing new agenda items.

Erhurman also said the increase in applications in the south related to mixed marriages was discussed and that he shared available data with Christodoulides. The issue will be revisited at the next meeting.

He concluded that meetings between the two leaders alone cannot resolve the Cyprus problem, which has regional and international dimensions. In any future formal negotiation process, he said, the two leaders and the three guarantor countries would be present. Regarding debates on a Peace Council in the south, Erhurman said he preferred not to comment on matters to which he is not a party.