Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has attempted to restrict the role of a forthcoming United Nations special envoy following an informal conference in Geneva on the Cyprus problem, despite failing to block the appointment during the talks themselves.
Tatar insisted that the envoy’s mission should be limited to discussing confidence-building measures between the divided island’s communities, contradicting the agreement reached at the Geneva meeting, according to statements published in Turkish Cypriot media.
“I asked for cooperation on every issue,” Tatar said after returning to the occupied areas Cyprus. “The Greek Cypriot side rejected our practical proposals, but I have not changed my mind. I will push every door”.
The informal Geneva conference concluded with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announcing that the special envoy would prepare for another round of talks scheduled for late July, rather than focusing solely on confidence-building measures as suggested by Tatar.
Guterres outlined several initiatives to be discussed by the two leaders, including four new crossing points between the communities, demining operations, creation of a Technical Committee for Youth, environmental cooperation, solar energy production in the buffer zone, and cemetery restoration.
Meanwhile, Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators Menelaos Menelaou and Güneş Onar held their first meeting since the Geneva conference on Thursday.
Sources said the meeting was preparatory for an April 2 encounter between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Tatar at the residence of UN Special Representative Colin Stewart.
Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou confirmed the leaders would discuss outcomes from the Geneva meeting.
Christodoulides has continued engaging with Turkish officials, holding a brief conversation with Turkish government Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz while in Paris for a high-level multilateral meeting. The two also met jointly with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos conducted a working visit to Rome on March 26-27, meeting with Italian Parliament President Lorenzo Fontana and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.
