Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides have encountered a roadblock in their recent efforts to reach a consensus on new confidence-building measures aimed at advancing the Cyprus peace process. Following a one-hour meeting held in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, Erhürman disclosed that the two leaders were unable to agree on initiatives that could foster trust and promote negotiations. The discussions primarily centered around how to move the negotiation process forward, yet no new measures were agreed upon.
During the talks, both sides exchanged perspectives on internal and external factors that are currently undermining the trust that has been established between the two communities. Erhürman emphasized the necessity of creating a conducive environment for progress, as advocated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He highlighted that introducing new confidence-building measures and refraining from actions that could further erode mutual trust are crucial steps in this direction.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Maria Angela Holguin, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy on Cyprus, will not be able to visit the island before the UN General Assembly due to an illness. This development may impact the momentum of the discussions, as her presence was anticipated to play a role in facilitating dialogue between the two sides.
The peace process in Cyprus has been fraught with challenges, particularly since the collapse of reunification negotiations in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017. While the Turkish Cypriot side continues to advocate for a two-state settlement based on sovereign equality, previous negotiations have focused on establishing a federal model. Despite these setbacks, efforts to resolve the long-standing dispute persist, with the leaders scheduled to meet again in the UN buffer zone on September 17. The upcoming meeting is expected to proceed without Holguin’s participation.