The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, has given the two sides in Cyprus until tomorrow, Friday, to respond to a package of confidence-building measures, Turkish news agency ANKA reports. The package includes four new crossing points and demining.
Diplomatic sources told the agency that the two sides have moved closer to an agreement on the crossing points, but continue to disagree on the extent of the demining.
The proposed crossing points are Mia Milia, the Athienou–Pyroi–Aglantzia route, Louroujina–Lymbia and Kambos–Karavostasi, as an alternative route to Kokkina.
Expanded meeting
The package also provides for the demining of 70,000 square metres on each side. According to the same sources, the Greek Cypriot side views the proposal positively, while the Turkish Cypriot side is seeking wider demining.
If an agreement is reached, a meeting of the two leaders with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a 2+1 format may take place. If progress is made, an expanded 5+1 meeting could follow.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is travelling to the occupied areas tomorrow for an illegal working visit. He is scheduled to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, “prime minister” Ünal Üstel and “foreign minister” Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu.
ANKA also reports that Holguín held a new meeting with Tufan Erhürman on 4 November. The methodology ahead of the two leaders’ planned meeting on 9 November was discussed.
Source: CNA
