President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman carried out a joint visit on Thursday afternoon to the Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) at the Old Nicosia Airport, in a symbolic step amid efforts to restart negotiations.
Erhürman arrived first at 3:15 p.m., with President Christodoulides following seven minutes later.
They were welcomed by laboratory staff, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín, and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart’s successor, Khassim Diagne.
First trilateral meeting with Holguín scheduled for later this afternoon
Following the tour of the CMP facilities, the two leaders will depart for the UN Good Offices, where they will hold their first joint meeting with Holguín at 4 p.m.
The encounter marks the opening stage of Holguín’s latest round of consultations, as the UN seeks to assess whether conditions exist for the resumption of substantive talks.
After the meeting, Christodoulides and Erhürman are expected to attend the annual United Nations reception at the residence of the UN Special Representative.
Christodoulides briefs Mitsotakis ahead of Holguín meeting
Earlier on Thursday, President Christodoulides held a telephone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to the Presidency, Christodoulides updated the Greek leader on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and on the joint meeting he is holding today with the Turkish Cypriot leader in the presence of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, with the goal of creating the conditions for a return to substantive negotiations from the point where they were interrupted.
The Greek Prime Minister’s office also confirmed that Nicosia and Athens remain in “absolute coordination” on the Cyprus issue. A statement from the Maximos Mansion said the call focused on the latest developments, noting that the President informed Mitsotakis in advance of today’s meeting with Erhürman and Holguín, aimed at restarting talks.
“Nicosia and Athens remain in complete alignment, moving steadily towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council resolutions, the principles and values of the European Union, and the EU acquis,” the statement added.
The two leaders also exchanged views ahead of Holguín’s upcoming visit to Athens.
Meeting with EU Special Envoy Hahn
Earlier in the morning, President Christodoulides met with the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus Problem, Johannes Hahn, at the Presidential Palace.
Hahn told reporters that “it is time for results.” After so many difficult moments, he said, “I believe there is now an opportunity; I will not call it the last opportunity, but there is an opportunity.”
Addressing the President, Hahn noted that “Europe is relying heavily on you to build a good relationship with the Turkish Cypriot leader, so that the path can open not only for the resumption of talks, but also for reaching a definitive, positive solution” to the Cyprus issue.
“If it depends on me, we will succeed,” President Christodoulides replied. Hahn is scheduled to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman tomorrow.