Tensions in the Cyprus issue are rising sharply, with all eyes on what Hakan Fidan will bring in his suitcases to pave the way for the next decisive steps. Developments are unfolding rapidly, with the Turkish news agency ANKA reporting that Maria Olgin has set a deadline of tomorrow for the two leaders to respond, either positively or negatively, to a package of confidence-building measures, which includes, among other things, four new crossing points and demining.
ANKA NEWS AGENCY: “The
two sides have come close to an agreement on the roadblocks, but they continue to disagree on the scope of demining.”
The two sides appear to be finalizing the Athienou–Pyroi–Aglantzia route, which is a demand of the Greek Cypriot side. The route will ultimately pass through a large portion of the occupied territories and the buffer zone as part of a compromise. The Turkish Cypriot side is focusing on Mia Milia, Louroutzina, and Lybia. Also part of the package is the proposal that, according to reports, is included in the President’s 19-point plan and would connect the Tsakistra Plain with Karavostasi over a distance of approximately 18 kilometers.
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For some, this is a key proposal—an alternative following the vetoes by Turkey and the pseudo-state against opening the Kokkina crossing. The proposed package also includes the demining of 70,000 square meters on each side. Developments are also expected regarding the methodology, with the five-party convergence serving as a guide for the resumption of talks.
If an agreement is reached, a meeting between the two leaders and the UN Secretary-General may take place in a 2+1 format, and if progress is made on the agreed points, an expanded 5+1 meeting may follow.
This morning, Nikos Christodoulides spoke by phone with the Secretary-General’s personal envoy to seek final clarifications.
President: “We are
in a waiting phase, awaiting final responses. The Secretary-General is being kept constantly informed, and I hope there will be positive developments, as I am being informed by the personal envoy.”
Alpha News reports that a “yes” from the Greek Cypriot side on the measures is a given in order to unblock the process. Tufan Erhurman’s response is now awaited following his meeting tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. with Hakan Fidan. Turkish Cypriot media are framing the visit as a working visit. They want him, on the one hand, to stand firm on the two-state solution, but on the other hand, to do his part in creating a positive atmosphere before Guterres’s departure.
Announcements regarding the outcome of these efforts are expected either over the weekend or at Monday’s trilateral meeting.
President: “We are constantly putting
forward proposals and approaches that, I believe, if there is political will, can lead us to a resumption of talks.”
Athens is also being kept constantly updated on developments, with Konstantinos Kompos in telephone contact with his Greek counterpart.
See Evangelos Agapios’s report:
READ ALSO: Turkish Media: Olgin Proposed a Ceasefire Package, Gave the Parties Until Tomorrow to Respond | AlphaNews
