Cyprus talks hit a snag as Tatar says no to UN meeting

According to Kathimerini's Marina Economidou, last week, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides expressed a strong interest in restarting talks about the Cyprus issue. He revealed that the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, had proposed a meeting between the two sides and the UN. However, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar responded by saying he hadn’t received an invitation and wouldn’t accept one if offered, as he believes there’s no common ground between the two sides.

According to the article, this reaction suggests that Tatar isn’t eager for a meeting, but it doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of one before the UN General Assembly in September. Whether a meeting happens will depend on various international factors, including the situation in the Middle East, the outcome of the U.S. elections, and Turkey’s stance on the issue.

The idea for the meeting came from UN Secretary-General Guterres, who suggested it should happen before the General Assembly for detailed discussions. A meeting was proposed for July 22, but while the Greek Cypriots agreed to a date in August, the Turkish Cypriots declined, citing short notice and the expiration of the UN envoy’s mandate.

President Christodoulides’ decision to announce the proposed meeting raised eyebrows, as typically, the UN takes the lead in inviting parties to talks. Some believe he made the announcement to show his commitment to resolving the issue and to avoid being blamed if negotiations don’t happen. Despite this, the UN has not shown frustration with Christodoulides’ approach and seems to understand his need to appear willing to engage in dialogue.

The chances of a meeting before the UN General Assembly are slim but not impossible, largely depending on Turkey's position. Turkey is currently facing internal divisions, with some factions supporting sovereign equality and others more open to the UN’s proposals. Diplomatic sources suggest that Ankara might reconsider its stance if it sees a benefit, even if Tatar objects.

Turkey seems to be buying time, possibly influenced by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the outcome of the U.S. elections. There’s speculation that if Donald Trump is re-elected, he might not push for renewed talks, which could work in Turkey’s favor.

Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriots and Greece are open to new diplomatic approaches. The Greek Foreign Minister has built a good relationship with the UN envoy, which is seen as positive, though some of his recent statements have irritated officials.

Looking ahead, the UN envoy plans to explore more substantial discussions, with a focus on issues like guarantees, troop withdrawal, and governance. The Turkish side’s demands, including direct trade and flights, differ significantly from the Greek Cypriot position on sovereign equality. Nicosia is willing to work on certain elements to restart talks, possibly using EU Protocol 10 as a basis for trade and flights, but only if the Turkish Cypriots show a similar willingness to compromise.