Newsletters
The U.N. Secretary-General's Personal Representative for Cyprus expressed confidence that building genuine trust between the sides could pave the way for positive results at the expanded July meeting in New York.
Maria Angela Olgin Cuellar described as positive the meetings she held with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis and Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar, according to both RIKNEWS and Philenews.
Both leaders expressed willingness to make progress on measures agreed upon in Geneva, the UN envoy noted in a written statement.
"With trust-building, a positive result" can be achieved at the July expanded meeting, Olgin Cuellar stated, expressing her belief that building genuine trust between the sides could open the path forward.
2 min read
The discussions also covered broader developments on the island, including property issues that have been a contentious point in the Cyprus talks.
The UN representative emphasized her readiness to continue working toward finding "common ground" and applicable solutions to issues affecting Cypriots' lives.
UN officials have questioned internally, "Why did this issue arise now?" regarding the property prosecutions, though they acknowledge the issue has existed since the 1974 invasion and systematic exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas.
Referring to the Youth Technical Committee, Olgin Cuellar noted that it served as motivation to contribute to shaping a better future for Cyprus.
The committee represents one of several technical committees aimed at building cooperation between the two communities.
During a recent session of the breakaway entity's assembly, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) President Tufan Erhurman, who will seek leadership of the entity, addressed property arrests, noting that "the developments caused concern and worry among Turkish Cypriots."
He criticized the occupation regime's government for not proceeding timely manner with "modifications" regarding foreign property purchases, essentially proposing measures to continue appropriation.
The UN envoy reaffirmed her determination to carry out the task assigned to her and announced plans for a new visit to both sides of Cyprus before the expanded July session.
The upcoming meeting will bring together leaders from both communities, along with representatives from guarantor powers.
Olgin Cuellar's current diplomatic tour includes scheduled meetings in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, followed by visits to Athens, London, and Brussels before returning to Greek Cyprus.
The July meeting in New York is expected to include the UN Secretary-General, leaders of both Cypriot communities, and foreign ministers from Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom as guarantor powers.
9 min read
