Erhürman: Convergence Documents to Be Provided When Talks Begin

Holguín said the document closest to a record of the convergences was based on the joint documents submitted by the two sides to the UN between 2015 and 2017, and that the new document would be provided when negotiations begin.

Erhürman said some sources had made statements to news agencies in South Cyprus following the National Council meeting, accusing the Turkish Cypriot side over the issue of the convergences.

He said he had generally tried not to respond to such statements in the past, but felt the need to provide information this time because the process had entered a new phase.

In a statement on social media, Erhürman said: “Now, following the Greek Cypriot National Council meeting, ‘some sources’ have made statements to news agencies in the south blaming the Turkish Cypriot side over the ‘convergences’.”

Erhürman said he had previously preferred not to respond to such statements, adding: “Especially at such late hours. But apparently, we have entered a new phase!”

He said that had he waited until the morning, he might have faced questions such as, “Why did you respond so late then? Are we always going to get our news from the Greek Cypriot press and sources?”, some of which, he acknowledged, would have been justified.

“This is not exactly a response, but information,” Erhürman said, referring to an interview given by Holguín to journalist Yusuf Kanlı on September 28 and published by ANKA Agency and Haber Kıbrıs.

Holguín: Closest Document to Record of Convergences Is the 2015–2017 Joint Documents

Erhürman recalled the following exchange from the interview:

Yusuf Kanlı: “The UN has completed its review of the convergences from the past. Will both sides be given the same consolidated document? How will you prevent selective interpretations of the negotiating records from creating a new dispute?”

Maria Angela Holguín: “The convergences are a single body of work based on the joint documents submitted by both sides to the UN between 2015 and 2017. The UN has also reviewed other documents in its archives that reflect past efforts. The document closest to a record of the convergences is precisely the Joint Documents from the 2015–2017 period.”

Convergence Documents to Be Provided When Negotiations Begin

Holguín said it was difficult to prevent a new dispute from emerging in Cyprus, noting that there was always a reason that could be used to keep a dispute open.

Referring to people who tell her that things have always been done in the same way, Holguín said it might be necessary to consider whether the repeated use of the same methods was itself one reason why so little progress had been made.

She said providing the document to the two sides before negotiations began could create a new point of dispute and that it would therefore be provided when negotiations started and when it became useful.

“It is difficult to prevent a new dispute from emerging in Cyprus; unfortunately, there is always a reason to keep a dispute open. I understand; people often tell me that things have always been done this way. But perhaps we need to consider that if everything has always been done this way, that may be precisely why so little progress has been made so far. Therefore, the document will be provided when negotiations begin and when it becomes useful. Presenting it earlier would open up a new point of dispute,” Holguín said.

According to Holguín’s remarks, the UN’s document on the “convergences” is being prepared primarily on the basis of joint documents submitted by the two sides between 2015 and 2017, while other documents reflecting past efforts in the UN archives are also being reviewed.

Her comments indicate that sharing the document before negotiations begin could create a new dispute over its content and interpretation.