Newsroom
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides met with newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman for the first time at the residence of the United Nations Special Representative, Khassim Diagne, in a session officials described as more symbolic than negotiatory. The meeting, which lasted just over an hour, also included UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Cyprus Problem, Maria Angela Holguin, who participated online from Lima, Peru.
Christodoulides said it was positive that a joint meeting with Holguin will take place during her visit to Cyprus in early December. Holguin is expected to meet Erhurman on December 5 and Christodoulides on December 6, with a joint session to follow.
“No negotiations took place today,” Christodoulides said, noting that each leader raised various issues. “We are entering a process aimed at the main objective, the resumption of talks from where they were interrupted.”
The UN said the meeting gave the leaders a chance to exchange views in a cordial atmosphere. Both expressed anticipation for Holguin’s visit and agreed to hold a joint meeting with her. They also instructed their teams to meet regularly to prepare for the next informal discussion, which will be convened by the UN Secretary-General, and to explore opportunities for further joint sessions.
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