Newsroom
UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin has given the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders until Friday to respond to a proposed package of confidence-building measures, according to Turkish news agency ANKA.
The proposal includes the opening of four additional crossing points and mine clearance operations, although the two sides have yet to settle their differences over the extent of the latter.
Diplomatic sources cited by ANKA said progress has been made towards an understanding on the proposed crossing points. However, disagreement remains over how much land should be cleared of mines.
The four proposed locations are Mia Milia, Athienou–Pyroi–Aglantzia, Louroujina–Lymbia and Kambos–Karavostasi. The last of these is being considered as an alternative route to Kokkina.
Under the proposal, 70,000 square metres of land would be cleared of mines on each side. Greek Cypriot representatives have reportedly reacted favourably to this arrangement, while Turkish Cypriot representatives are calling for a larger clearance area.
An agreement could pave the way for a meeting between the two leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a 2+1 format. If further progress follows, an expanded 5+1 meeting could also be organised.
Separately, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is due to visit the occupied areas on Friday, where he is expected to hold talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, so-called "prime minister" Unal Ustel and so-called "foreign minister" Tahsin Ertugruloglu.
ANKA also reported that Holguin met Erhurman again on November 4. Their discussions focused on the format and methodology of the planned November 9 meeting between the two leaders.
