Nicosia: Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Ersin Tatar, are scheduled to discuss the results of the recent informal meeting in Geneva about Cyprus, as well as plans for future engagements leading up to the July meeting. This was confirmed by Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou in a statement to CNA on Monday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Antoniou outlined that the discussions on April 2 in Nicosia will cover the Geneva meeting’s outcomes, issues related to crossing points, and other confidence-building measures. The talks will also focus on the substantial steps necessary to make progress ahead of the anticipated July meeting. Antoniou emphasized the intention to use the intervening time creatively.
Antoniou refrained from commenting on the reports regarding the appointment of Maria Angela Holguin as the new personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, suggesting that it would be prudent to wait for an official announcement from the UN, which is expected soon.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated last week that the informal meeting in Geneva concluded with both leaders agreeing on a series of initiatives aimed at building trust. These initiatives include opening four crossing points, demining efforts, creating a technical committee on youth, and addressing environmental and climate change issues. Additionally, measures concerning the impact on mining areas, solar energy in the buffer zone, and cemetery restorations were also part of the agreement.
Guterres further announced that another informal meeting would occur at the end of July, following the same format as the March meeting. A personal envoy would be appointed to facilitate the next steps in the peace process.
Cyprus remains divided since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution has yet to be achieved. The most recent negotiation efforts in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, concluded without success.