President Tufan Erhürman holds press conference following his first meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides
“I have today put forward a ten-point proposal”
President Tufan Erhürman held a press conference at the Presidency on Thursday following his first meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader, Nikos Christodoulides, in the UN buffer zone. The meeting took place at the official residence of Khassim Diagne, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP.
President Erhürman stated that he was accompanied by the Presidential Undersecretary, Mehmet Dânâ, and emphasised that the meeting was held in a “positive and sincere” atmosphere, lasting approximately one and a half hours. He added that María Ángela Holguín, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, also participated via videoconference.
The President stated that the two delegations met for one hour and fifteen minutes, and that he subsequently held a fifteen-minute tête-à-tête with Mr. Christodoulides.
Stating that both sides had the opportunity to present their respective positions, President Erhürman underlined that the parties listened to one another, although there was no exchange of views in the sense of a "mutual discussion".
President Erhürman explained that Ms. Holguín would meet separately with both leaders in December, that will be followed by a trilateral meeting. He added that representatives had been authorised to continue contacts where necessary, and that he and the Greek Cypriot leader had agreed to meet, or speak by telephone if required, before 5 December, at which Ms. Holguin will be visiting the island.
President Erhürman stated:
“Today I explained that, first and foremost, we must create an environment conducive to launching a new negotiating process. To help create such an atmosphere, I presented a ten-point set of proposals to the Greek Cypriot side in the presence of the United Nations.
“The two earlier 5+1 meetings, in Geneva and later in New York, resulted in agreement on a number of initiatives. I am ready to resume from where these initiatives were left and bring them to a successful conclusion ahead of the next 5+1 meeting foreseen for the near future.”
President Erhürman added that importance was given to the opening of new crossing points and the establishment of a solar panel installation within the UN buffer zone by former President Ersin Tatar and Mr. Christodoulides.
He outlined the following ten proposals, stressing the need to address these issues “with a view to cultivating such a climate”:
1. Mixed marriages: Addressing the problems faced by couples in mixed marriages and their children. Many children are deprived of EU citizenship, spouses are prevented from crossing to the South, and children born in Cyprus to parents not born on the island are not permitted to cross to the South.
2. Crossing points: Increasing the number of booths and staff at the Metehan crossing to ease congestion, and enabling road-tax services to be provided at the Bostancı and Derinya crossing points.
3. Youth contacts: Enhancing youth interaction, particularly through sport, including permitting U-14 football teams from both sides to play friendly matches under the auspices of the Technical Committee on Youth.
4. CMP visit: Conducting a joint visit by the two leaders to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in the buffer zone.
5. Property-related arrests: Addressing property-related arrests, which continue to undermine relations between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
6. Green Line Regulation issues: Tackling administrative and other obstacles cited by the Turkish Cypriot business community, as well as the decline in Green Line trade.
7. Hellim inspections: Finalising the authorisation of Bureau Veritas Paris to carry out required inspections for hellim produced in the North. Establishment of a new technical committee to deal with this issue.
8. EU harmonisation: Lifting of the blockage on the ad-hoc EU harmonisation committee.
9. Security dialogue: Establishing direct communication between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot security forces.
10. Metehan roadworks: The two leaders jointly launching the road-widening works in the buffer zone at Metehan.
President Erhürman stated that, in addition to the ten-point proposals, he also officially presented a separate four-point-- which he had stated many times during the election period -- outlining his new methodology for achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue—“drawing on past negotiating experience” that aimed at “unlocking the door to the much-desired settlement”.
Stressing that “we do not wish to go to a 5+1 meeting empty-handed,” President Erhürman said: “We do not favour an outcome where no result is achieved, as was the case in Geneva and New York. Prior to our elections it was announced that another 5+1 meeting would be convened, but we wish to attend that meeting having achieved certain tangible outcomes.”
President Erhürman added: “I will not engage in a blame game at the negotiating table, however, outside that context, I will express if need be the necessary criticisms. For example, I will set out my views on issues such as missing persons, the burning of flag, and military incidents.”
Concluding his remarks, President Erhürman explained that the four-points for the start of a new process were formulated drawing on the Annan Plan, the relevant UN documents, and the statements of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.