President Erhürman: “No agreement reached on confidence-building measures”

President Erhürman held a press conference at the Presidency following his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides ahead of the New York talks, Erhürman described the meeting as more productive than the previous one and said that several new ideas had been discussed.

President Erhürman said that no agreement had yet been reached on confidence-building measures (CBMs), methodology or substantive issues in the Cyprus negotiations.

Regarding a possible 5+1 meeting, Erhürman said he supported such a meeting provided that it was results-oriented, stressing that progress should first be achieved at the leaders’ level in Lefkoşa. The conditions for convening a 5+1 meeting have not yet been established.

Referring to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks on avoiding the mistakes of the past, Erhürman said that a different approach would be needed if previous negotiation processes had failed to produce results.

Erhürman said “We are continuing to make representations to the international community regarding actions that are undermining trust”

Regarding substantive issues, Erhürman said that the sides were currently at the stage of listening to the ideas and views of each side, adding that this was the current state of affairs.