President Nikos Christodoulides said the Greek Cypriot side is ready to resume talks on the Cyprus problem from the point where they were interrupted at Crans-Montana. Speaking after a roughly one-hour meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman on Wednesday, he said progress had been made on some issues, while disagreements persist on others. He also confirmed that an honour guard from Egypt will take part in Cyprus's October 1 independence day parade.
Meeting with Erhürman described as brief but substantive
Speaking to reporters on his return to the Presidential Palace, President Christodoulides said the meeting, though short, was "substantive on the issues discussed." He said talks continued on the three areas of methodology, substance and confidence-building measures. "On some issues there is progress, in the sense that there is a shared understanding, on others there continue to be disagreements, different approaches," he added.
He said discussions at his level would continue next week, preceded by a meeting of the two sides' negotiators. The next meeting with Mr Erhürman is expected either next Wednesday or Friday.
Η επόμενη συνάντηση του Προέδρου @Christodulides με τον Τουρκοκύπριο ηγέτη @tufanerhurman θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Πέμπτη, 17 Σεπτεμβρίου, στις 11:00 π.μ., στο πλαίσιο των τακτικών επαφών των δύο ηγετών και της συνέχισης της ουσιαστικής συζήτησης.
— Λετυμπιώτης Κων/νος (@letymbiotis) September 9, 2026
Convergence record in final stage
Asked about reports that the recording of convergences was due to be completed by the end of August, the president said that, according to the information available, the process is at a very final stage. "It's a matter of days to be completed, and we'll see how the United Nations will handle it," he said.
Possible New York meeting under discussion
President Christodoulides said a joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader in New York was possible, though not confirmed, either with the UN Secretary-General, his personal envoy, or at leaders' or negotiators' level. He noted that any confirmed arrangement would be announced once finalised.
Asked about reports that the Secretary-General's personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguín, would not travel to New York, the president clarified that she would not attend a meeting scheduled for that day with the Secretary-General, and that, according to information relayed to Cyprus's Permanent Representative in New York, the two would instead speak by telephone.
Asked whether a single remaining meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader before the New York trip would be enough to produce deliverables for the Secretary-General, President Christodoulides said the process builds on previous meetings at both leaders' and negotiators' level. "We are not starting from zero," he said, adding that the specific issues on the table involve shared understanding on some points and continuing disagreement on others.
Confidence-building measures not extensively discussed
Asked whether disagreement centred on the routing of the Athienou crossing point, the president said Wednesday's discussion focused mainly on substance and methodology rather than confidence-building measures, which were not discussed at length.
President says he will not be drawn into "blame games"
Asked whether he was satisfied with progress on methodology and substance, President Christodoulides said the issues involved in creating conditions for a resumption of talks were clear. "As things stand, we are ready to resume the talks from where they were interrupted at Crans-Montana," he said, adding that all sides, including himself, would ultimately be judged at the negotiating table on their political will to resolve the Cyprus problem.
Asked to comment on a social media post by Mr Erhürman stating that it would not be easy to "write history" on the Cyprus problem, the president confirmed the matter was raised during their meeting. "We discussed this issue too. I gave my view, Mr Erhürman gave his. We discuss everything," he said. He added that the post had not affected the climate of the meeting, stating: "I am not influenced by posts or statements, because I have a clear goal... For us there is no alternative to resolving the Cyprus problem and reunifying our homeland."
Egyptian honour guard confirmed for October 1 parade
Asked to comment on reports that an honour guard from Egypt will take part in the October 1 parade, President Christodoulides said consultations are under way between the National Guard and the two countries' defence ministries. "From what I have been informed, there will be a presence of an honour guard from Egypt," he said.
