Erhürman: Progress Made, but Not Enough

Erhürman made the remarks during a press conference at the Presidency following his meeting in the buffer zone with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Angela Holguín.

Erhürman explained that the meeting focused on three main areas: the four-step methodology he had submitted, the confidence-building measures previously discussed between former President Ersin Tatar and Christodoulidis, and the 10-point proposal he had put forward during the last round of talks.

He said that while the previous meeting had centred on his proposals, this time Christodoulidis presented his own suggestions, which Erhürman listened to without responding. Among the issues he had raised earlier was the Halloumi file, and he underlined that, as reflected in the joint statement, the matter is expected to be finalised by the end of January.

Erhürman also recalled his proposal to increase cabin and personnel capacity at the Metehan crossing point, noting that the joint statement referred to increased staffing at all crossing points. He added that agreement had been reached to introduce traffic circulation procedures at the Bostancı and Derinya crossings and that these measures, together with the improvements planned at Metehan, would help ease congestion. Work will also intensify at the Haspolat Wastewater Treatment Plant, he said.

Erhürman stressed that while confidence-building measures are important, the ultimate goal remains a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue based on political equality. He noted that only part of the first step of the four-point methodology had been recorded in the meeting and made clear that unless all four are accepted, formal negotiations will not begin.

He said the aim is to ensure that any future 5+1 meeting is productive, adding: “Small steps are not enough, but they are initial measures. They are not part of the substance. Our goal is to secure tangible progress, such as at the crossing points, before entering a 5+1 format.”

Addressing questions, Erhürman said the meeting lasted longer because Christodoulidis presented proposals for the first time, requiring time for detailed discussion. He highlighted that the Turkish Cypriot side reiterated its position that political equality cannot be treated as a bargaining chip and that talks must follow the agreed methodology. The sides also discussed the detailed map carried over from previous processes and evaluated the solar panel project planned for the buffer zone.

He emphasised that guarantees and other issues related to a comprehensive settlement were not discussed. The target, he said, remains a comprehensive and politically equal solution, with reference to the joint competences of the two sides. After fifty years of negotiations, he added, lessons must be learned and approaches must evolve.

Erhürman said the four-step methodology was developed in line with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s remarks about addressing differences to achieve progress. “We are not in the mindset of simply sitting at the table and assuming a solution will emerge. We want a negotiating table that leads to a solution. Political equality must be accepted without negotiation,” he said.

He described the meeting as productive in terms of progress on the Halloumi file and the crossing points.

UN Statement

In a written statement issued after the trilateral meeting, the United Nations said the talks took place in a “positive and genuine atmosphere,” with the leaders exchanging views across a wide range of issues aimed at creating conditions conducive to progress.

The UN highlighted that both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a settlement based on political equality as defined by UN Security Council resolutions, agreed that confidence-building measures cannot replace a settlement, and expressed readiness to intensify efforts.

The statement said the leaders reviewed existing confidence-building initiatives, discussed new ideas, and agreed to focus on reaching agreement as soon as possible on new crossing points, the Halloumi file, and the construction of pipelines from the Mia Milia/Haspolat Wastewater Treatment Plant. They also agreed to increase personnel at crossing points, welcomed the ongoing road-widening works at Agios Dometios/Metehan, and reiterated their commitment to attend the next informal meeting to be convened by the UN Secretary-General.

Before the meeting, the leaders visited the anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons and stressed the importance of keeping the Committee’s work free from political interference, calling on anyone with information about possible burial sites to share it confidentially.

The full statement reaffirmed the leaders’ intention to continue working together, meeting as often as necessary, and ensuring that their representatives maintain regular contact to support the process.