Holguin: Turkish Cypriot Leader Rejects Trilateral Meeting

Holguin made the remarks following her contacts in New York with President Tufan Erhürman and the Greek Cypriot leader.

In a statement on her New York contacts, Holguin said the UN Secretary-General had held separate meetings with the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders and that she had accompanied both leaders during their bilateral meetings with Guterres.

Holguin said she had also met with the two negotiators, together with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, to review the confidence-building measures (CBMs) that the two sides had agreed to develop.

She stressed that the measures should contribute to building confidence and create the basis for new initiatives.

Holguin said that during the UN Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus, Guterres had reiterated his commitment to supporting the search for a solution until the final day of his term, which ends in three months.

She said Guterres had met separately with both leaders in New York, with the two sides presenting their visions for overcoming difficulties and making progress.

“Turkish Cypriot Leader Did Not Consider Trilateral Meeting Appropriate”

Holguin said a trilateral meeting had not initially been planned, adding that the Greek Cypriot leader had proposed holding such a meeting this week but the Turkish Cypriot leader did not consider it appropriate at this stage.

Referring to the CBMs, Holguin said Guterres had reiterated the urgency of implementing the measures agreed by the leaders as an indication of their ability to cooperate.

“If such cooperation can be achieved, it will also demonstrate their willingness to launch a process towards a sustainable solution,” Holguin said.

Holguin also announced that the UN had completed its “convergences” study and would present it to the sides if they begin negotiations.

She said the UN would also ask both sides to submit their proposals on methodology, adding that she would continue her facilitation efforts until the end of December.

Holguin said that during her next visit to Cyprus in October, she would continue encouraging both sides to create the conditions necessary for the launch of a new process.