Efforts to advance the resolution of the Cyprus dispute encountered another hurdle as Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides failed to agree on new confidence-building measures. The leaders met for an hour in the United Nations-controlled buffer zone, but the discussions did not yield any progress in terms of establishing new measures to foster trust between the two communities.
Erhürman highlighted that the talks primarily revolved around how to develop these measures and propel the negotiation process forward. Despite their discussions, both sides could not come to a consensus on the necessary steps, and exchanged views on internal and external factors that are, according to Erhürman, undermining the trust that had already been established.
He emphasized that creating a conducive environment for progress, as recommended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, requires both parties to introduce new confidence-building measures and refrain from actions that might further erode mutual trust. The absence of UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, due to illness, was noted as she will be unable to visit the island before the UN General Assembly.
The Cyprus peace process has experienced multiple setbacks, including the breakdown of reunification talks in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in 2017. The Turkish Cypriot side maintains support for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, diverging from previous negotiations centered on a federal model.
Looking ahead, the two leaders are scheduled to reconvene in the UN buffer zone on September 17. The upcoming meeting is expected to proceed without the participation of Holguin, which may impact the dynamics of the discussions.