Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman in the occupied north on Friday, as the United Nations and Nicosia waited for the Turkish side’s answer to a UN package to open four new crossing points and clear minefields.
Phileleftheros understands that President Nikos Christodoulides has already responded positively to the package, which is based on his own proposals. The UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, will host Christodoulides and Erhurman at 11am on Monday 9 November at the residence of the Head of Mission in the UN protected area, the UN in Cyprus said.
Christodoulides said he had spoken to Holguin by phone on Thursday morning and that, on the information available so far, the process appeared to point to positive developments. The sides were at the stage of final answers, he said, adding that Holguin had told him “we may possibly have specific announcements over the weekend”.
The meeting between Fidan and Erhurman, held at Erhurman’s office, ran from 1.20pm to 2.40pm, according to reports. Erhurman’s special representative, Mehmet Dana, also attended. No statements were made afterwards.
The package, which Holguin has put to both sides and on which she is awaiting replies, was expected to be on the agenda. The Turkish side’s answer may come as early as Friday, following the meeting.
Fidan is also due to meet Unal Ustel, the “prime minister” of the Turkish Cypriot side, and Tahsin Ertugruloglu, its “foreign minister”.
The package
The four crossing points in the package are Mia Milia, Athienou-Pyroi-Aglandjia, Louroujina-Lympia and Kambos-Karavostasi. The routes meet different needs of the two communities.
Christodoulides added the Kambos-Karavostasi crossing as an alternative to one at Kokkina, which the Turkish side will not discuss because the area has been designated a military zone.
The package also provides for clearing 70,000 square metres of minefields. According to Turkish sources, the Greek Cypriot side agrees with the proposal, while the Turkish Cypriot side considers limiting it to designated areas inadequate and wants complete demining.
Wider talks
Christodoulides said the UN Secretary-General was being kept informed at all times and that he sincerely hoped there would be positive developments to announce. Asked whether progress was expected on crossing points, he said the effort launched after the Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus covered methodology, substance and confidence-building measures, and that the discussion was broader. The Cypriot people’s anxiety and wishes were entirely justified, he said, adding that he kept submitting proposals which he believed could lead to a resumption of talks if there was political will.
