Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhurman are preparing for a meeting that is expected to determine the future of the Cyprus process. The two leaders will meet at the Secretary-General’s good offices at 4:00 p.m. in the buffer zone, and the agenda will be based on the three-pronged approach of Convergences, Methodology, and Confidence-Building Measures.

As for the substantive issues—specifically the points of convergence—not much can be discussed pending the United Nations’ formal documentation of these points. The spotlight remains on the five-party convergence, albeit amid a cold and numb atmosphere. For the umpteenth time, the possibility of opening the Athienou-Pyroi crossing point and that of Mia Milia will be put on hold. Government sources express optimism about progress, while diplomatic circles are lowering their expectations, believing that no announcements will come easily. Both sides say they are ready, however, with the Turkish Cypriot negotiator setting the tone following his communication with Tufan Erhürman. MEHMET

DANA, Turkish Cypriot Negotiator
: “Tomorrow’s meeting is a preparation for a new and productive 5+1 meeting within the framework of the roadmap outlined by Guterres. The Turkish Cypriot side will contribute to the process in a sincere, constructive, and determined manner.”  

At the same time, Ankara is furious with Somalia over its support for the Republic of Cyprus. Somalia issued an official statement in support of the Republic of Cyprus, making it clear that it does not recognize the pseudo-state and that its position on the Cyprus issue is based on UN resolutions. This followed a previous post by the Speaker of the Somali Parliament, who had referred to the “TRNC.”

Turchan Çomez – Member of Parliament, iYi PARTI    
“We have provided more than 1 billion dollars in aid. We built a large hospital named ‘Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.’ We withdrew our drilling ships from the Blue Homeland and sent them to Somalia.”
 
Turkey maintains the large TURKSOM military base in Somalia, which trains the Somali army while significantly strengthening its military presence in the country.

Watch Evangelos Agapios’s report:

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