Christodoulides hopeful of positive developments at meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader

President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that the United Nations has proposed dates for a joint meeting between the leaders of the two communities and the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy on Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin, with the Greek Cypriot side having already responded positively. Christodoulides said he was approaching Tuesday’s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman with the sole aim of achieving positive developments. “I am going to the meeting with one and only one objective: to have positive developments,” he said. “We have a discussion which has begun and is continuing, and I hope we will have a positive outcome. We have also been given some dates for Ms Holguin’s arrival and a joint meeting between the three of us. Related Articles • Christodoulides renews call for project ideas despite EU budget wrangling • Christodoulides accuses Erhurman of ‘setting preconditions’ on resumption of talks • Confidence-building measures ‘need to be implemented’, Holguin says • EU, Turkey to discuss Cyprus problem at ‘high-level’ talks this month • Christodoulides, Erhurman agree to attend Pyla festival on Saturday • Christodoulides: 19 points ‘remain on table’ “We have responded positively. I believe the Turkish Cypriot leader will also have responded positively, and I genuinely hope that tomorrow we will have positive news to announce,” he added. Asked when Holguin was expected to arrive in Cyprus, Christodoulides said the announcement would be made by the United Nations, confirming that her visit would take place before the end of October. On whether Tuesday’s meeting could result in an announcement on the opening of four new crossing points, the president said the Greek Cypriot side was ready to proceed, provided there was a positive response from the Turkish Cypriot side. “I hope there will be. We are ready. If there is a response, of course we are ready to proceed with such an announcement,” he said. He added that the Greek Cypriot side was also prepared to move forward on other issues raised by the UN Secretary-General, including the substance of negotiations, methodology and confidence-building measures. Asked whether there had been a positive response from the Turkish Cypriot side, Christodoulides declined to speak on its behalf.