Guterres concludes Erhürman meeting, vows to continue Cyprus issue efforts

UN Secretary-General António Guterres concluded his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman in the occupied areas a short while ago, saying he remains committed to resuming Cyprus problem negotiations.

“There was a productive meeting with both leaders, and I will continue my effort,” Guterres said in remarks after the meeting.

The meeting capped a day of engagements for Guterres in Cyprus. Earlier on Tuesday, he held an expanded meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace, followed by a one-on-one meeting between the two men.

Leaving the Palace, Guterres described the visit as one of solidarity with the people of Cyprus, saying it reflected his strong commitment to finding a solution, though he noted this ultimately depends on the Cypriots themselves and the guarantor powers.

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said afterwards that the discussion between Christodoulides and Guterres had been substantial and sincere, and that Cyprus welcomes Guterres’s political commitment to resuming negotiations on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions. He said the goal is to convene an informal expanded conference that would serve as the springboard for resuming talks.

Guterres is due to lay a wreath at the Peacekeepers’ Monument outside the Ledra Palace, visit the Committee on Missing Persons workshop, and hold further meetings with negotiators, heads of the technical committees and civil society representatives, before a private dinner this evening with both leaders. He will hold a joint meeting with Christodoulides and Erhürman on Wednesday morning, followed by a press conference ahead of his departure.