Holguin Visit Delay Does Not Diminish September Importance

Haravgi reported under the headline “Understandings Pave the Way for Next Steps on Cyprus – Critical September as Eyes Turn to New York and Expanded Meeting” that September would be crucial for efforts to resume Cyprus talks.

The newspaper said Holguin’s postponed visit had not reduced the importance of September and that formally recording areas of convergence remained a key objective. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday that the “record document” would soon be prepared and submitted to the two sides on the island and the guarantor powers.

According to the report, Christodoulides said the aim was to preserve the negotiating gains after the parties reached agreement on the document and then hold an expanded meeting at which the resumption of negotiations would be announced.

The newspaper noted that negotiators are due to meet today, while the leaders are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. According to information obtained by the paper, the atmosphere between both the negotiators and the leaders is currently described as very positive.

However, it stressed that a positive atmosphere did not necessarily mean that substantive difficulties had been overcome. Haravgi quoted Christodoulides as saying that there was “a significant degree of convergence on substance and methodology.”

The report also claimed that talks had stalled over the opening of new crossing points, and outlined proposals previously reported in the media by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides.

The newspaper further noted that another key event in September would be the UN General Assembly. Christodoulides is expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the General Assembly, while Guterres is also expected to meet President Tufan Erhürman.