New Crossing Points Expected to Top Agenda in Erhürman-Christodoulides Meeting

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), citing sources, the meeting will address whether the Turkish Cypriot side is prepared to demonstrate political will to make progress on the issue of new crossing points.

The sources said the issue had previously been discussed in the presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who put forward a proposal on the matter, while the Greek Cypriot side responded positively.

Negotiators to Meet Ahead of Leaders’ Meeting

The negotiators from the two sides are expected to meet ahead of the August 26 leaders’ meeting to prepare for the talks.

Regarding the next expanded meeting on the Cyprus problem, preparations on substantive issues are expected to continue.

According to the sources, a record of the convergences reached by the sides during previous rounds of negotiations is being prepared. The document is expected to be submitted to all relevant parties, including the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides and the three guarantor countries.

The document is expected to be delivered to the parties within several weeks. Once the process is completed, Guterres is expected to take steps towards convening the expanded meeting.

Goal Is Resumption of Formal Negotiations

The sources said the aim of the expanded meeting would be to reach an agreement on the resumption of formal negotiations.

Following his joint meeting with Christodoulides and Erhürman in Nicosia on July 29, Guterres said he intended to convene a new 5+1 meeting once the necessary preparations had been completed on confidence-building measures, methodology and substantive issues.

The UN Secretary-General also said that the convergences reached between the sides during previous rounds of negotiations would be taken into account during the preparatory process.