The fact described in the text is that UNSG envoy Maria Angela Holguin and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar both publicly expressed grievances against each other, with Tatar refusing to agree to a trilateral meeting and criticizing Holguin’s approach to the Cyprus problem.
Colin Stewart briefed Italian MP Piero Fassino on peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus.
Fact: Disy MP Averof Neophytou criticized the Christodoulides government for inaction, stating that the state leadership has confined itself to the role of observer and commentator.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar is “running away from the fight” for Turkish Cypriots’ rights, according to opposition party CTP leader Tufan Erhurman. The distance between the Turkish Cypriot people and Ersin Tatar is widening, and there is no plausible explanation for Tatar avoiding a tripartite meeting. Rauf Denktash wasted his life, and the Turkish Cypriots have no demand to join the EU as long as Turkey is not a member.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan disagree on the Cyprus problem, but both support dialogue as the solution. Erdogan emphasized the importance of reaching a fair and permanent solution based on the facts on the island to strengthen stability and peace in the region. United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin is working on finding a solution within the framework of UN Security Council decisions, but there is currently no common ground between the parties involved.
UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin will prepare a report after her visit to Cyprus and meet with UNSG Antonio Guterres. The people of Cyprus deserve dialogue between the two parties, according to Holguin. Tatar rejected the suggestion of a trilateral meeting, stating that negotiations can only resume with confirmation of sovereign equality and equal international status for the Turkish Cypriot side.
President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to meet with UN Secretary General’s personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin at the Presidential Palace on Monday at 10:30 am. This will be his second meeting with Holguin this month. Holguin will also meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar at 12 noon on the same day. Holguin stated that both leaders are responsible for listening to the demands of civil society and finding common ground for negotiations to restart.
Monday 13 May will be crucial for the Cyprus problem, with meetings in Nicosia and Ankara focusing on the outcome and future developments. The Greek Cypriot side expects Turkey to make a move to push Ersin Tatar back to the table, while Tatar insists on his conditions being met before entering talks. The UN and international actors expect both sides to make moves to break the deadlock. President Christodoulides mentioned exchanging ideas with the UN envoy, emphasizing the agreed framework for a solution. The focus is on gestures that will facilitate a joint meeting between the two leaders and the UN side.
Ankara is undermining the UN Secretary General’s envoy on Cyprus and is moving towards implementing Plan B for two states. The envoy’s efforts have not progressed, and the occupation side is pushing for the envoy’s contract not to be renewed. Ankara is focused on upgrading the pseudo-state and preparing for recognition.
UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy Maria Angel Holguin has not found common ground for new talks on the Cyprus problem.