The “heart” of the Cyprus issue beats in New York, with a one-on-one meeting between António Guterres and the President of the Republic scheduled for Wednesday afternoon (New York time). The meeting with Guterres is scheduled to last 10 minutes.
Today also marks the President’s address to the UN General Assembly, where he is expected to focus on the ongoing efforts to resume negotiations for a resolution of the Cyprus issue and the Greek Cypriot side’s political will in this direction, as has been expressed publicly on many occasions.
Erdoğan’s Red Lines
Erdogan laid out his red lines on the Cyprus issue to Antonio Guterres during their meeting on Tuesday. As reported on the Alpha Kalimera program by journalist Giorgos Georgiadis, according to Turkish sources, Erdogan assured Guterres that any proposal that does not accept the sovereign equality and equal governance of Turkish Cypriots is doomed to failure, effectively advocating for two states.
At the same time, Erdogan, as he does every year, called on the international community from the General Assembly podium to recognize the pseudo-state.
Erdogan’s reference to the Cyprus issue lasted just 36 seconds, as journalist Giorgos Georgiadis noted, with 80–90% of his time devoted to Israel and Gaza, and Turkey’s role as a peacemaker.
READ ALSO: “The UN Continues Its Efforts on the Cyprus Issue”: The President and Olgin Spoke for an Hour in New York
The President met for about an hour with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Olguín. It was a constructive meeting, during which Ms. Olgin stated that she remains optimistic and that the UN is continuing its efforts.
Ms. Olgin is expected to meet with Tufan Erhurman on Thursday; he is traveling to New York today.
He will hold meetings with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators, though expectations remain low.
The President also met with the British Prime Minister, among others, who also met with the Turkish President.
It remains to be seen what Guterres will tell the President of the Republic regarding the next steps in the Cyprus issue.
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