The United Nations minutes serve as the basis for Professor McGarry, who has undertaken the task of documenting the points of convergence on the Cyprus issue.
He is already working feverishly so that, within a few weeks, he can put on paper the points that unite the two sides, building on where the process stalled at Crans-Montana in 2017.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
These points of convergence will also highlight the issues that divide the two sides. These points will constitute the most difficult part of the negotiations if and when a five-party meeting to resume talks becomes feasible. All eyes are now on the meeting between the two leaders on August 26.
The Greek Cypriot side aims for this meeting to yield substantive results—not just on confidence-building measures, in which the presidency is not currently investing much effort. The idea is that these measures should proceed in parallel with the process of resuming dialogue and delving into the core aspects of the national problem.
On the other hand, Erhurman insists on a MOU to build trust first, advocating for the inclusion of the four points he proposes in the process.
The representative of the Secretary-General’s personal envoy is currently in Cyprus, though it remains unclear whether Ms. Olgin will return to Cyprus before September.
