Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said on Friday that progress on the Cyprus issue must begin with resolving practical challenges in Nicosia, rather than repeating high-level talks with no results.
Speaking following his meeting with María Angela Holguín Cuéllar, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Erhürman recalled that previous 5+1 formats in New York and Geneva ended without progress. “It is not our preference to hold meetings that don’t produce results,” he said. “I want to solve the problems in Nicosia.”
He stated that for the 5+1 meetings to be effective, preparations should be made in Nicosia, the problems should be resolved, and the meeting should be held afterward.
Erhürman said his discussion with Holguín focused on three topics.
Four-Point Methodology Proposal Erhürman provided Holguín with a detailed briefing on his proposed four-point methodology designed to create a more effective negotiation structure.
Turkish Cypriot Side’s 10-Point Package He said they also reviewed the 10-point set of proposals presented during his initial meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.
Confidence-Building Measures and Crossings Erhürman said that they discussed the Haspolat, Luricina, and Kiracıköy crossing points as part of confidence-building measures, as well as the solar energy project in the buffer zone funded by the European Union.
He emphasised that especially ongoing congestion at the Metehan (Agios Dometios) checkpoint was a key part of the agenda. He said solutions are attainable if both sides act quickly.
“There was congestion again at Metehan today,” he noted, adding that staffing shortages and malfunctioning booths on the Greek Cypriot side have been widely reported. Erhürman stressed that increasing personnel would immediately ease delays.
He said Turkish Cypriot officials have conducted inspections in coordination with Greek Cypriot negotiator, and discussions are ongoing to resolve the situation.
“If we can’t take action on such a simple issue, how can we move on to bigger ones?” Erhürman said, urging faster steps that prevent “both communities from suffering for hours.”
Erhürman confirmed a tripartite meeting with Christodoulides and Holguín will take place after the envoy’s separate meetings with both sides, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side remains ready for additional contact beforehand if needed.“I hope the next meeting will result in tangible progress on the three issues we conveyed to Ms. Holguín,” he said.
(voıcecyprus)
