The United Nations will not manage to complete its document cataloguing convergences reached in previous phases of Cyprus problem negotiations before next week’s meeting between the two leaders. The document concerns matters relating to internal aspects of the issue.
Recording the convergences was one of the tasks the UN took on before Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived on the island in late July. Although the task was seen as straightforward, since it was already known where the two sides agreed and disagreed, it has proven more difficult than expected. The content of the document being prepared by the UN side will also point to the issues that require further negotiation.
Based on current information, no dramatic developments are expected on the agenda items at the first meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. The two leaders will discuss crossing points, methodology and confidence-building measures, though there is no indication so far that they will be able to reach any outcome.
Despite a positive approach from the Greek Cypriot side, Erhurman’s inability to press the occupation army means no resolution is expected at this meeting on the issue of crossing points either. The Turkish side, following Ankara’s direction, will not accept anything other than the opening of the Mia Milia crossing point.
On opening a crossing point from Athienou to Aglantzia via Pyroi, the Turkish side wants its own plan implemented and rejects even the compromise proposals put forward by the UN Secretary-General.
Tomorrow’s negotiators’ meeting
The two negotiators, Menelaos Menelaou and Mehmet Dana, will meet tomorrow, Thursday, at 11am. The main topic will be preparation for the August 26 meeting between the two leaders, Christodoulides and Erhurman.
Meanwhile, reports say a representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Dana, will hold a briefing today with foreign diplomats accredited in Cyprus. The move comes in response to a similar meeting held by the Greek Cypriot negotiator. Reports say the Turkish Cypriot side intends to explain its own positions on the Cyprus problem following the UN Secretary-General’s visit.
The Greek Cypriot side’s goal
Regarding next week’s meeting between the two leaders, the Greek Cypriot side’s goal is to have a substantive discussion on what was raised during the UN Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus, particularly groundwork for the next expanded meeting.
In recent statements, President Christodoulides said this period would be particularly critical, with continuous and intensive consultations aimed at the UN Secretary-General convening an expanded conference and announcing the resumption of talks.
It is recalled that the UN Secretary-General announced, after his joint meeting with President Christodoulides and Erhurman on July 29 in Nicosia, that he had decided to convene a further 5+1 meeting, following appropriate preparation on confidence-building measures, methodology and substance, taking into account the convergences already achieved.
