Nicosia: Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides expressed optimism on Wednesday about the potential for substantive talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman, which could lead to more intensive consultations on the long-standing Cyprus issue. 'I look forward to substantive talks and a meaningful meeting that will mark the start of more intensive consultations, with, if you will, an informal milestone being the week of the United Nations General Assembly, when I will be in New York and meet with the Secretary-General,' President Christodoulides stated to reporters as he departed from the Presidential Palace for the UN Good Offices Mission, located in the UN-protected area of Nicosia airport, just before his meeting with Erhrman.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides mentioned that the Turkish Cypriot leader would also visit New York following the official week of the United Nations General Assembly to meet with the UN Secretary-General. During this time, both leaders intend to separately brief the UN Secretary-General on the outcomes of the anticipated intensive consultations. Christodoulides reiterated his hope that the talks would initiate a period of intensive and effective consultations, aligning with an earlier agreement made during the United Nations Secretary-General's visit.
Furthermore, President Christodoulides revealed that Maria Angela Holgun is scheduled to visit Cyprus in early September, highlighting that the United Nations' preparations are 'at a very advanced stage' concerning the convergences reached. The discussions aim to create conditions conducive to resuming talks from where they left off in the summer of 2017, as called for by the United Nations Secretary-General.
Addressing inquiries about the influence of heightened Greek-Turkish tensions and Turkish Cypriot complaints over canceled international festivals in Turkish-occupied areas, President Christodoulides emphasized that these issues should remain separate from efforts to resume Cyprus talks. He noted, 'Illegality and illegal actions are something entirely different from the effort to resume talks, and much more so from the effort to resolve the Cyprus issue, so that there are no issues arising as a result of illegal actions.'
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Numerous UN-led peace talks have yet to produce results, largely due to Turkish intransigence. The most recent round of negotiations, held in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended without conclusion.