During discussions on Wednesday, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides were unable to reach a consensus on new confidence-building measures aimed at resolving the long-standing Cyprus dispute. The leaders met for an hour in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, focusing primarily on how to advance the negotiation process and foster mutual trust.
Erhürman highlighted that while both sides exchanged views on various internal and external actions, they could not agree on implementing new measures to enhance confidence between their communities. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for progress, echoing the sentiments of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged both parties to introduce fresh confidence-building steps and avoid actions that might undermine existing trust.
The absence of Maria Angela Holguin, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy on Cyprus, was noted, as she is unable to visit the island before the UN General Assembly due to illness. Her participation is seen as pivotal in facilitating dialogue between the two parties.
The Cyprus peace process has faced numerous challenges, notably the breakdown of reunification talks in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017. While the Turkish Cypriot side continues to advocate for a two-state solution founded on sovereign equality, past negotiations have primarily focused on a federal model.
Despite the current impasse, the two leaders are set to reconvene in the UN buffer zone on September 17, although Holguin’s participation is not anticipated for this meeting. Both sides hope to find common ground that will pave the way for future advancements in the peace process.