• Process dynamic, ‘slow but we are continuing, leaders are on the path, they haven’t arrived yet,' says UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin

ANKARA

The leaders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriots, along with the UN secretary-general's personal envoy on Cyprus, held a meeting Wednesday in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Cyprus.

The talks brought together TRNC President Tufan Erhurman, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin.

The leaders confirmed in a statement that they exchanged proposals to pave the way for substantive negotiations and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing confidence-building initiatives while working toward launching formal talks.

"I cannot say that we had a very productive meeting, but I can use the word 'beneficial' rather than unproductive; we had the opportunity to listen to each other more," Erhurman said at a press conference, where he emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are always positive.

He stressed that effective participation and a rotating presidency must be accepted in principle under the heading of political equality.

UN envoy

Holguin issued a statement that described direct dialogue as essential for sharing views, concerns and hopes.

She noted that the leaders presented proposals to chart a path forward and reviewed progress on previously discussed trust-building measures, with some advances already achieved.

Holguin told reporters that both sides would continue efforts to reach agreements on outstanding confidence-building measures (CBMs) and to initiate substantive negotiations.

The UN envoy called it a good meeting and said any follow-up depends on the leaders.

She stressed the need for results on the CBMs agreed in Geneva, adding that "a little more waiting is required" as work continues.

Holguin said she was not disappointed with the outcome and characterized the process as dynamic. “Slow but we are continuing, leaders are on the path, they haven’t arrived yet,” she said.

Asked about abandoning the 5+1 format next month, she replied, "For now, it will not happen."

The 5+1 format refers to the informal expanded meeting model involving the two Cypriot leaders, the guarantor powers Türkiye, Greece, the UK and the UN, aimed at breaking the deadlock in Cyprus negotiations.​​​​​​​