In the latest attempts to address the long-standing Cyprus dispute, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides met on Wednesday but were unable to establish new confidence-building measures. The hourlong dialogue took place in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, focusing on fostering trust and advancing negotiations.
Following the discussions, Erhürman revealed that both parties failed to reach a consensus on new initiatives. They exchanged perspectives on internal and external factors that are perceived to be undermining the trust previously built between the two communities. The leader emphasized that creating a conducive environment for progress, as advocated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, hinges on the introduction of fresh confidence-building measures and refraining from actions that could erode mutual trust.
In a setback to the peace process, Erhürman also noted that Maria Angela Holguin, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy on Cyprus, would be unable to visit the island before the upcoming UN General Assembly due to health issues. This development comes amidst a history of challenges in the Cyprus peace efforts, including the collapse of reunification talks in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017.
The ongoing discussions reflect the complex nature of the Cyprus issue, with the Turkish Cypriot side advocating for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, while prior negotiations have centered around a federal model. Despite the current impasse, the two leaders are scheduled to reconvene in the UN buffer zone on September 17, although the meeting will proceed without Holguin’s involvement.