Christodoulides, Erhürman aim to keep momentum with frequent talks on Cyprus problem

Politics Cyprus problemNikos ChristodoulidesTop NewsTufan Erhurman Christodoulides, Erhürman aim to keep momentum with frequent talks on Cyprus problem Christodoulides, Erhürman Aim To Keep Momentum With Frequent Talks Relevant News Lane closed on Nicosia-Larnaca motorway for cleaning works 28 August 2026 Christodoulides, Erhürman aim to keep momentum with frequent talks on Cyprus problem 28 August 2026 “Edik” network: Key developments expected today in suspect’s extradition from occupied north 28 August 2026 Andreas Bimbishis 28 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman are holding frequent meetings, including in New York, in an effort to maintain momentum on the Cyprus problem. Erhürman responded immediately to dates the President proposed, and the two agreed to meet again next Wednesday, September 2, at 3pm. For the government, the quick response and agreement on a new meeting show the dialogue is gaining continuity and a steady pace. According to philenews information, the second meeting will follow the same format as the first, with the two leaders spending most of the time in one-on-one talks. UN Secretary-General’s envoy María Ángela Holguín will be in Cyprus at the end of next week and will not be present at the second meeting. Christodoulides proposed three dates for meetings with Erhürman, who responded positively; the first meeting date has now been locked in, with the rest to be announced gradually. Clear intent and goal Analysing the first meeting, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the momentum did not arise on its own, but is the result of UN mobilisation, from the Secretary-General himself and his personal envoy, “but also the steady, persistent and intensive effort we have been making throughout this period, through pursuing more active involvement from the UN and the EU, our continuous international and European contacts, and our steady position on resuming substantive negotiations from where they were interrupted.” “Our will is clear. We will continue intensively, constructively and with a focus on substance, using every opportunity that can bring us closer to resuming negotiations,” he added. The goal, as set out by the Secretary-General himself, is for the new expanded meeting to succeed, he said, meaning it should be “the decisive step towards the announcement of resuming substantive negotiations from where they were interrupted.” But there is also realism Beyond satisfaction at progress so far in Nicosia, the government is also being realistic, aware there are many difficulties ahead, particularly before the UN Secretary-General decides to convene a new informal multilateral conference. “Our approach is optimistic, but realistic. We don’t underestimate the difficulties and we don’t prejudge outcomes. We do know, however, that after a long period of stagnation, there is again more frequent contact, more substantive discussion and concrete next steps,” he said, adding that what is needed is for this momentum to gain continuity, content and results. “At the same time, we don’t lose sight of the overall dimension of the Cyprus problem: progress at the level of the two leaders is necessary,” he said, adding that for substantive progress to be achieved, the stance, will and contribution of the guarantor powers, particularly Turkey, remain decisive. More could have been achieved Letymbiotis also recalled the state of the Cyprus problem when Christodoulides took office compared with today. He said Wednesday’s meeting included “a very substantive discussion,” extending beyond confidence-building measures. “There has been discussion on CBMs too, and not only on crossing points, but the discussion has now moved on to what we have insisted on and worked on throughout this period: the substance of the Cyprus problem itself, and the methodology to be followed.” These are all signs of progress, he said, though he acknowledged “it is certainly not the progress, or the pace of progress, that we too would like to see.” “But we cannot overlook the distance we have covered over the last three and a half years,” he said. Referring to the separate meetings President Christodoulides and Erhürman will hold with the UN Secretary-General in New York in late September, Letymbiotis said the two leaders now have “a natural timeline, which we want to use to the fullest, to achieve the greatest possible progress by that point.” He said the discussion could not overlook the importance of the guarantor powers, particularly Turkey, “as the Secretary-General himself has noted,” adding that the only thing that will determine the discussion is the agreed framework set out in UN Security Council resolutions. Five names announced During the same statements, the government spokesperson also announced the Greek Cypriot members of the Coordinating Committee of the Civil Society Advisory Body: Pantelis Poiitis, Alexandros Lordos, Amalia Avraam, Sofia Papamichalopoulos and Marios Michaelides. He said the body’s creation was one of the UN Secretary-General’s wishes, and that alongside its standing members it will include 50 people from each community, who will discuss everyday issues that change depending on the topic under discussion. Commission welcomes “The EU’s priority remains unchanged: achieving a comprehensive, just and viable solution for Cyprus,” European Commission spokesperson Maciej Berestecki said on Thursday during a briefing for journalists. “The EU remains firmly committed to the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and with the EU’s principles, values and legislation,” he added, saying Brussels is “ready to play an active role in this process, with all the means and tools at its disposal.” Berestecki was responding to a question on the state of Cyprus problem talks following the UN Secretary-General’s visit to the island and the two community leaders’ meeting, and on whether restrictions on activities in the occupied areas, including the reported cancellation of a youth training session by Barcelona FC, are consistent with confidence-building measures. He declined to comment on the specific meeting, repeating the Commission’s standing position on the Cyprus problem, and recalled that the Commission has appointed Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as Special Representative for Cyprus. DISY and AKEL DISY welcomed the two leaders’ agreement on weekly meetings but said this alone “does not constitute progress.” The party said “concrete steps must be taken towards holding the next informal expanded 5+1 meeting, in the areas set out by the UN Secretary-General, always bearing in mind the upcoming milestones: the UN General Assembly and the end of the Secretary-General’s term.” AKEL spoke of decisions that leave a positive mark, saying “the most important thing is for there to be tangible results too.” The party said “the determination of a mutually acceptable roadmap, based on preserving the entirety of the negotiating acquis, the convergences and the Guterres Framework, is the primary requirement in groundwork that we hope will unlock the prospect for substantive progress.” It added that the failure, after many months of discussions, to open new crossing points “is having a negative effect on the effort to create the necessary positive political climate.” Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Lane closed on Nicosia-Larnaca motorway for cleaning works “Edik” network: Key developments expected today in suspect’s extradition from occupied north Firefighters faced deadly danger from unexploded shell in Agia Anna fire as anger mounts Scientific committee proposes €611 million, 12-year plan to rebuild livestock sector Why more Italians are choosing Cyprus — and the numbers behind the trend Binge it or skip it: This Is a Gardening Show – Galifianakis makes gardening cool Where to eat and drink this weekend: spritz, Locatelli and kerpasto Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.