**Erhurman Calls for Weekly Meetings with Christodoulides to Address Cyprus Issue**
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has reiterated his request for weekly meetings with Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. This call comes in the wake of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' recent visit to Cyprus, where he outlined key tasks for both sides to address in order to advance discussions on the long-standing Cyprus issue.
During a statement on Monday, Erhurman emphasized that Guterres’ remarks following a tripartite meeting last week were sufficiently clear and did not require further interpretation. He described the tasks set forth by Guterres as “homework” that needs to be completed before any further discussions can take place, particularly regarding the proposed “five-plus-one” meeting involving both sides of the island and the three guarantor powers: Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Erhurman noted that both leaders had previously expressed their willingness to meet weekly, stating, “As we left the meeting, in front of Guterres, we said that we are ready to meet Christodoulides once a week.” He criticized those who advocate for a solution while simultaneously suggesting various starting points, arguing that such discussions often lead to stagnation rather than progress.
The Turkish Cypriot leader asserted that the steps outlined by Guterres are straightforward and leave little room for debate. He expressed confidence in the readiness of both communities to engage in meaningful dialogue, stating, “We are ready within the framework of our people’s will for a solution, and we have clearly stated that we are ready. The rest is just empty talk.”
Guterres had indicated that a new enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem would be convened only after sufficient progress is made on confidence-building measures, the methodology of the talks, and the substantive issues at hand. This meeting is anticipated to be crucial for addressing the ongoing division of the island, which has persisted since the Turkish invasion in 1974.
The recent tripartite meeting, however, did not yield any concrete agreements, particularly regarding the opening of new crossing points between the two sides. Discussions stalled over whether to separate a package of four crossing points that had been previously agreed upon at a larger meeting in New York last year. The Greek Cypriot side proposed the removal of one crossing point located in Louroujina, suggesting instead to open new points near Athienou and in the eastern suburbs of Nicosia. The Turkish Cypriot side rejected this proposal, insisting that any discussions must include all four previously agreed locations.
The proposed crossing points in Athienou and Aglandjia would facilitate a more direct route for Greek Cypriot motorists traveling between Nicosia and Athienou, circumventing the longer journey required due to the current layout of the Green Line.
Erhurman’s call for regular meetings draws parallels to a historical agreement made in 1974 between then-acting President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, facilitated by then-UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. At that time, Waldheim characterized the leaders’ commitment to weekly meetings as a “limited step” but acknowledged it as a positive sign for future dialogue.
As the situation in Cyprus remains complex, the renewed call for weekly meetings reflects a desire for increased communication and collaboration between the two communities. Both leaders face the challenge of navigating deep-seated divisions while seeking a path towards a comprehensive solution that addresses the concerns of both sides.