Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman held their first meeting on Thursday, agreeing on several steps aimed at cautiously reviving Cyprus talks.
They confirmed a joint meeting with UN envoy Maria Angela HolguÃn in December, the restart of preparatory negotiations between their teams, HolguÃn’s upcoming visits to Greece and Turkey, and the expected arrival of EU envoy Johannes Hahn.
Erhurman presented a ten-point package of confidence-building measures, including proposals on mixed-marriage citizenship, driving licences, expanding the Ayios Dhometios crossing, improved police cooperation, easing Green Line trade, youth sports, and implementing the halloumi agreement. He also outlined a four-point methodological approach to guide constructive discussions.
Both leaders emphasised that the encounter was not a negotiation but a step towards resuming talks from where they ended in Crans-Montana in 2017.
Practical issues such as property disputes and administrative matters will be handled by negotiators on the ground.
Christodoulides and Erhurman agreed to maintain regular contact, stressing that incremental progress through CBMs remains essential to building trust ahead of a potential multilateral meeting before year’s end.
Source: Cyprus Mail
