The Turkish side disagrees with handing over a document recording the convergences reached on the Cyprus problem, while the Greek Cypriot side considers that such a document could serve as a basis for resuming negotiations, sources told CNA after Wednesday's briefing of the National Council. According to the same sources, the proposal to record the convergences was originally put forward by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, yet the Turkish Cypriot side subsequently refused to receive the document, and Turkey has also expressed disagreement with its delivery. President Nikos Christodoulides proposed, as an alternative, recording the divergences should it prove impossible to hand over a document with the convergences, so that the process could start from the points on which the two sides disagree. The issue had also been raised during the previous visit to Cyprus of María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy, when a two-page document listing the headings of the convergences, without detailed content, had been prepared for delivery to both sides. The Republic of Cyprus had no objection to its delivery, but when Holguín went to the north, the Turkish Cypriot side reportedly said it did not want the document handed over and it was ultimately not delivered.
Security Council mandate
According to the sources, the briefing made particular reference to the president's contacts with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. A common position emerged from these contacts on the need to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed parameters, the sources said. The briefing also conveyed the view that even if the UN Secretary-General changes, the new Secretary-General will continue to act on the basis of the mandate given by the Security Council and cannot depart from it.
Dispute over demining
On demining, the key issue is the areas in which the measure is proposed to apply, according to the sources. The United Nations has identified areas both in the north and in the government-controlled areas. The Greek Cypriot side has declared its readiness to proceed immediately with demining those areas, while the Turkish Cypriot side reportedly wants the process limited to one area in which it has tanks.
Turkey's stance
According to the briefing, the Greek Cypriot side believes Turkey is seeking to drag out the process until the end of the UN Secretary-General's term. Reference was also made to participation in a meeting with the Secretary-General. The sources said that over the past two years the president held meetings with then Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in the presence of the Secretary-General, whereas Erhürman has not accepted a similar meeting with the president and the UN Secretary-General.
Source: CNA
