The two leaders held their first meeting at the old Nicosia airport without UN presence yesterday, the outcome of which was an agreement… to meet again.
President Nikos Christodoulides met with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman alone for an hour and a half at the official residence of UN Special Representative Khassim Diagne, without either Diagne or the negotiators present.
This was also their first meeting since the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar suggested in an open letter that she would not return to the island until the leaders were ready to take a “specific step forward”.
Leaders ‘better understand’ each other
According to Politis sources, the meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to better understand each other on some of the issues that they hold strong views on. Given that there were no third parties or UN present, the two were able to speak frankly on both confidence-building measures (CBMs) and issues of substance, including how they can return to formal negotiations.
On issues where respective positions have become entrenched, thereby preventing the kind of progress that Holguín has been calling for, this honest dialogue between the two leaders might help to find alternative solutions in future, said sources.
However, this does not mean the leaders came any closer to each other, in terms of closing the gap between them. In fact, the meeting signified yet another gathering of the two leaders where no joint decisions or agreements were made, neither on CBMs, in particular new crossing points, nor on a resumption of talks. It appears the issues are stuck at the political, not technical level, for which the leaders need to show a willingness to move closer to each other. It remains to be seen whether their tete-a-tete on Tuesday will help facilitate such a convergence of political will.
Meanwhile, the two negotiators will continue to meet regularly, with the next meeting likely to take place next week. The leaders also agreed to meet again – hence the dialogue continues – but did not set a date.
Baby steps forward
Politis understands that by the next leaders’ meeting, they might be able to announce progress on some CBMs that had already been agreed but for which implementation remains pending. These could include the provision of road tax services at the Deryneia and Astromeritis-Zodia checkpoints, facilitating inspections of Turkish Cypriot halloumi producers by Bureau Veritas, and/or full-time staffing of the third booth at the Ayios Dhometios checkpoint.
On the question of Erhürman’s four-point methodology, the Turkish Cypriot leader elaborated on the reasoning behind his demand for the leaders to accept “in principle” the following: political equality including a rotating presidency, all past convergences, and a timeframe for the talks. His fourth point is to ensure that there is a positive consequence for the Turkish Cypriot side, should the talks fail on account of a Greek Cypriot rejection.
Regarding Christodoulides’ five-point proposal for the resumption of talks, which includes recording the input of both sides – and where relevant three guarantor powers – on past convergences, followed by the announcement of a resumption of talks at an enlarged meeting, the Turkish Cypriot side considers this to be a time-consuming exercise. A confirmation in principle on past convergences gets the sides to the starting line in a simpler and faster fashion, they argue.
Leaders agree talks were “open and honest”
Speaking on his return to the presidential palace, President Christodoulides said he had an “open and honest” discussion with Erhürman where they reviewed progress on CBMs and agreed to provide further guidance to the negotiators on those issues. They also exchanged views on issues of substance, touching on the various chapters of the Cyprus issue, and agreed to meet again soon, he said. The meeting took place “in a very good climate,” he noted.
Christodoulides also revealed he has requested a meeting with the UN Secretary‑General for March. This comes on the back of Erhürman’s meeting with Antonio Guterres on February 11, which lasted 70 minutes. The President said he plans to convene the National Council “for a briefing and exchange of views on the current situation”.
The President reiterated he remained steadfast in pursuit of his goal to resume substantive talks – while fully preserving the body of work achieved to date – and resolve the Cyprus issue.
Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot leader intended to reaffirm the basis of a solution as being a bizonal, bicommunal federation, Christodoulides reminded that on December 11, the two leaders reaffirmed political equality on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions, which “speak very specifically about the solution of the Cyprus problem, about the pursued goal.”
Speaking on his return from the talks, Erhürman said: “It was an open and sincere meeting,” noting that they agreed to meet again.
According to Erhürman, the two sides agreed to instruct their representatives to continue regular contacts to make up for lost ground and the delays observed in the CBMs. He referred to a tangible example of cooperation concerning foot‑and‑mouth disease, noting that the Turkish Cypriot side will return 20,000 vaccines sent by the EU to the Cyprus Republic to combat the disease.
On crossing points, Erhürman highlighted the importance of opening Mia Milia crossing for vehicles, while dismissing the proposal for another pedestrian crossing in old Nicosia, so close to Ledra Street, which does not address the congestion problem.
The issue of mixed marriages was also raised, he said, adding that the matter will remain high on the agenda of their next meeting.
Pre-meeting tensions
Prior to the meeting, tensions were raised somewhat after Erhürman said publicly that he and Turkey were starting from the same point regarding the Cyprus issue, leading Christodoulides to ask whether that means he supports two states or a federal solution.
Then, on the morning of the meeting, the Turkish Cypriot leader accused the president of “manipulation” after a newspaper reported that Christodoulides planned to raise the challenges of Greek Cypriot schools in Karpas at their tete-a-tete. Erhürman accused Christodoulides of playing games, by trying to exploit the fact that the Turkish Cypriot leader had already confirmed he was going to visit the Greek Cypriot schools in Karpas.
The schools have been struggling to carry out their duties with the Turkish Cypriot authorities accused of delaying approval of educators, rejecting 98 out of 335 textbooks, and reportedly preventing Education Ministry officials from undertaking assessments and training.
After their tete-a-tete, Erhürman explained that the common starting point with Turkey lies in the position that the non‑resolution of the Cyprus problem is due to the historical “unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot leaderships to share power and wealth on the island”. He expressed hope that Christodoulides will not follow the same stance.
On the conditions of the Greek Cypriot schools in Karpas, he said “these children are our children too,” adding that his upcoming visit is guided by human rights considerations. At the same time, he drew a parallel with the issue of providing adequate education for Turkish Cypriot pupils living in Limassol.