In recent discussions aimed at resolving the longstanding Cyprus dispute, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides were unable to agree on new confidence-building measures. Following an hourlong meeting held in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, Erhürman revealed that the talks primarily centered on these measures and strategies to advance the negotiation process.
Despite the exchange of views, both sides could not reach a consensus on the new initiatives intended to foster trust between the communities. Erhürman noted that both internal and external actions have been undermining the existing trust, emphasizing the need for a cooperative environment to make headway, as urged by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He stressed that introducing new confidence-building measures and refraining from actions that might harm mutual trust are crucial for progress.
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy on Cyprus, is unable to visit the island before the UN General Assembly due to illness. This development may impact the ongoing efforts to secure a resolution to the Cyprus issue, which has seen numerous setbacks over the years, including the breakdown of reunification talks in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017.
The Turkish Cypriot side continues to advocate for a two-state settlement based on sovereign equality, diverging from previous negotiations that concentrated on a federal model. Despite these differences, both leaders are scheduled to reconvene in the UN buffer zone on September 17. The upcoming meeting is expected to proceed without Holguin’s involvement, potentially influencing the dynamics of the discussions.