Nicosia’s goal remains unchanged: nothing less than an expanded conference that will pave the way for the resumption of talks, nine years and four months after the collapse of the Crans-Montana talks.
Hope remains alive, despite the constant deadlocks and difficulties.
Based on the ongoing process, everything is expected to become clear at the next trilateral meeting with António Guterres, who will make a final attempt to get the Cyprus issue back on track, before handing over the baton as UN Secretary-General.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
5+ 1 Key takeaways from the poll
The “victory” in antalya and the day after
All that remains now is to set the date and make the necessary preparations to achieve the primary objective.
Talks and Roadblocks
Speaking from the occupied territories a few hours after his return from Antalya, the Turkish Cypriot leader wished to reiterate the proposal he submitted at his last meeting with María Ángela Olguín, which, in his view, will be helpful.
“I cannot reveal it, and I’m glad it hasn’t been leaked. It’s a proposal that won’t cause the Turkish Cypriot side to lose anything. This proposal will be on the table at the trilateral meeting with Guterres.”
Tufan Erhurman – Turkish Cypriot Leader
In response to questions he received, he revealed at the same time that at the next meeting with António Guterres, the roadblocks will be back on the table, implying that the agreements reached regarding Kampo and Luruzina may not be the only ones.
“As the Turkish Cypriot side, we have not removed our requests regarding the other crossing points—such as in Haspolat (Mia Milia) and Eilenje (Aglatzia). These issues will be raised at the trilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General.”
Tufan Erhürman – Turkish Cypriot Leader
However, he made no mention whatsoever of Kokkina, which has been the subject of intense debate in recent days.
EU-Turkey Relations
Euro-Turkish relations are back on the table after some time, against the backdrop of the European envoy’s visit to Ankara on November 20.
Raffaele Fito has been tasked with sounding out Hakan Fidan on Turkey’s expectations regarding the steps it must take on the Cyprus issue, with long-term concessions that would address Ankara’s demands toward Brussels.
For example, the issue of the Customs Union, regarding which Nicosia has clearly stated that such a discussion will only begin if substantive negotiations on a solution to the Cyprus issue resume, based on the agreed framework.
Watch Giorgos Chrysanthos’s report:
