Erhürman says two new crossings agreed, with Pile on agenda for next talks
Speaking at the Presidency after his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, hosted by UN envoy María Ángela Holguín, Erhürman said the Akıncılar–Limya and Kampo–Gemikonağı crossings would open simultaneously. He described the agreements as “modest steps forward” after nine years of stagnation since the Cyprus talks broke down at Crans-Montana in 2017.
The President said the Turkish Cypriot side had presented a package of proposals aimed at finding common ground on issues that had held up agreement. It first proposed opening all the crossings under discussion together, then put forward an option pairing Haspolat with Kampo–Gemikonağı. The two leaders agreed on the third option, pairing Akıncılar–Limya with Kampo–Gemikonağı.
Erhürman said the leaders also agreed to ask the relevant technical committee to draw up a joint emergency response mechanism. They agreed to share archival material through the cultural heritage committee, implement three environmental projects and restart the Imagine programme under the education technical committee. The President said children would be able to take part regardless of their citizenship.
He said the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to work with the communities concerned on restoring Maronite churches and an Armenian monastery, drawing on the expertise of the cultural heritage committee. He added that a proposal for military representatives from both sides to work together on buffer zone issues, including mine clearance, had not been accepted. The EduBites education initiative also remained unresolved.
Erhürman said he had put forward a separate proposal that he believed could change the course of the Cyprus talks. He declined to disclose its details, saying he wanted to give both sides time to consider it.
“I don’t want this proposal to go to waste,” he said. “I want to give diplomacy a chance.”
Asked about the prospects for formal negotiations, the President said political equality and a rotating presidency should be part of the framework for any new talks. He said a rotating presidency should be considered separately from security and guarantees, arguing that it would show whether the Greek Cypriot side was prepared to share political power and the island’s wealth.
Erhürman said the Turkish Cypriot side was acting in full consultation with Türkiye and wanted to begin a process with a realistic chance of reaching a settlement.
“We do not see the lack of a settlement as a solution,” he said. “This time has to be different.”
The President said no date had been set for the meeting with Guterres. He also said he had proposed an informal meeting with Christodoulides at an upcoming event in Antalya, but had been told the Greek Cypriot leader’s schedule would not allow it.
