Efforts to resolve the longstanding Cyprus dispute remain stalled as Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides failed to reach consensus on new confidence-building measures. This outcome followed their hourlong meeting on Wednesday in the buffer zone controlled by the United Nations, where discussions centered on advancing the negotiation process.
Erhürman reported that the talks primarily focused on confidence-building measures, but both sides were unable to agree on new actions. They exchanged views on internal and external factors that are currently undermining the trust that has been built between the communities. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for progress, as urged by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which involves introducing new measures and refraining from actions that could further erode mutual trust.
The meeting also revealed that Maria Angela Holguin, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy on Cyprus, would not be able to visit the island before the upcoming UN General Assembly due to illness. This absence could potentially impact the momentum of the peace process, which has already faced numerous setbacks. Notably, reunification negotiations collapsed in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017.
The Turkish Cypriot side continues to advocate for a two-state settlement based on sovereign equality, diverging from previous negotiations that centered on a federal model. Despite these challenges, the leaders are set to meet again in the UN buffer zone on September 17. However, this next meeting will take place without the participation of Holguin, which may influence the dynamics of the discussions.