Holguin Visit and EU-Turkey Ties Key to Expanded Conference

Yesterday’s meeting between President Tufan Erhürman and Christodoulides received extensive coverage in the Greek Cypriot press.

Under the headlines “Leaders Determine Next Steps Ahead of Holguin’s Return – Agree to Hold Joint Meeting With Holguin,” Politis reported that Erhürman and Christodoulides had held a meeting lasting one and a half hours.

The newspaper also reported that the two leaders had agreed to meet again next week ahead of the visit by Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, and to hold a trilateral meeting with her on November 9.

Politis devoted considerable coverage to the UN statement on yesterday’s meeting and Christodoulides’ remarks afterwards.

According to the report, Christodoulides said after the meeting that “a large part of the discussion focused on methodology and substantive issues.”

He said both leaders had raised numerous questions and sought clarifications during the meeting, adding that he expected discussions with Holguin to focus primarily on methodology and substantive matters as well.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

The newspaper reported that Christodoulides had also addressed confidence-building measures (CBMs), saying proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot side could contribute to environmental initiatives and the exchange of cultural objects.

Citing information it had obtained, Politis said the environmental initiatives involved making information on air quality across the island easily accessible to all Cypriots and mapping the characteristics, sources and quantities of microplastics throughout Cyprus.

The newspaper noted that experts could provide a clearer assessment of the issues and, with the involvement of local and international specialists, propose solutions acceptable to both communities. It described the initiative as “low in political sensitivity but high in scientific value.”

“CROSSING POINTS AND NEW IDEAS”

Continuing under this subheading, Politis reported that, when asked about the opening of new crossing points, Christodoulides said he was awaiting a response to one of the proposals on his list of 19 “new ideas,” as Erhürman had requested clarification on certain issues during yesterday’s meeting.

Asked to provide further details, Christodoulides said he would not disclose the 19 points while dialogue was ongoing, adding that he would do so at a later date to keep the people of Cyprus informed.

Christodoulides claimed that some of the 19 “new ideas” he had submitted to Erhürman last month had been rejected, while he was still awaiting responses on six or seven others.

He stressed that rejection did not necessarily mean the proposals had been abandoned permanently. Recalling that it had taken two years for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept the proposal to establish a Youth Technical Committee, he said proposals rejected in the past had sometimes been accepted later.

“TWO FACTORS WILL DETERMINE WHETHER AN EXPANDED CONFERENCE CAN BE HELD”

Regarding the prospect of an expanded conference, Christodoulides said two factors would be decisive: discussions on substantive issues and methodology during Holguin’s visit, and the direction of EU-Turkey relations.

Referring to EU-Turkey relations, he said: “A very important meeting was due to take place yesterday. We are waiting for a briefing.”

Asked whether he was referring to the meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and European Council President António Costa, Christodoulides replied that he did not wish to comment because the EU had not issued an official statement.

Citing a reliable source, Politis claimed that the focus of EU-Turkey relations had shifted away from visa liberalisation or Turkey’s participation in the SAFE mechanism towards upgrading the level of the EU-Turkey Customs Union.

Fileleftheros covered the issue under the headlines “Two Conditions for an Expanded Conference – Holguin’s Arrival and EU Efforts to Determine Next Steps on the Cyprus Problem.”

The newspaper reported that Christodoulides had said that discussions on substantive issues and methodology during Holguin’s contacts on the island, together with the EU’s efforts concerning the Cyprus problem, would determine whether an expanded conference under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General could be convened.

Fileleftheros also gave extensive coverage to Christodoulides’ remarks, highlighting his statement that he was awaiting a response from Erhürman to his proposals.

On the opening of new crossing points, Christodoulides said: “I have submitted a specific proposal and am awaiting an answer. I put forward two alternative proposals. One was rejected.”

He claimed that further clarification had been requested on the other proposal and that, after he had provided it, Erhürman had asked to respond at their next meeting.

Asked about opening the Pyroi-Athienou (Gaziler-Kiracıköy) crossing point, Christodoulides said it was a fundamental condition, but added that the other proposals were new initiatives.

Asked what the environmental initiatives involved, he said they concerned joint initiatives by the Environment Technical Committee, describing them as proposals put forward by his side.

Christodoulides also said the proposal for exchanging cultural heritage objects had been accepted, stressing that the relevant lists would be exchanged to allow the process to move forward.

Other newspapers covered the meeting under the following headlines:

• Alithia: “Trilateral Meeting Agreed – Decisions Pending – Holguin Arrives on October 28 – Joint Meeting With Erhürman and Christodoulides on November 9”

• Haravgi: “Informal Trilateral Meeting Remains Uncertain After Leaders’ New Meeting”