President Tufan Erhürman meets with María Angela Holguín, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General
“I had the opportunity to thoroughly explain the methodology to Ms. Holguín.”
Photos
“My wish is to make daily life easier so that people are not forced to endure hours of hardship.”
President Tufan Erhürman briefed the press following his tête-à-tête meeting at the Presidency with María Angela Holguín, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, stating that the discussions lasted over an hour and were “productive”.
Explaining that the meeting focused on three main topics, President Erhürman said: “The first concerned the substance of our four-point methodology proposal — which I had proposed during my meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader, in which Ms. Holguín had participated via videoconference -- and the reasoning behind it. I had the opportunity to explain the methodology to Ms. Holguín in detail.”
President Erhürman stated that the second topic was the 10-point package presented by the Turkish side during his first meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides, noting that they discussed the details of the package and what each point entails. Emphasising that “discussions from the previous period were also taken up with Ms. Holguín,” President Erhürman stressed that they reviewed the proposed confidence building measures regarding the Haspolat, Louroujina [Akıncılar] and Kıracıköy crossing points, as well as the European Union financed solar power plant project in the buffer zone.
Traffic congestion at Metehan crossing point
President Erhürman emphasised that a portion of the meeting focused on problems at the Metehan crossing point, noting that “traffic congestion at Metehan continues to pose a major problem.” He added that the area had been visited prior to the start of buffer zone infrastructure works to evaluate and pinpoint the issues.
Stressing that the Metehan crossing was part of the 10-point package discussed with Mr. Christodoulides, President Erhürman emphasised that they had “highlighted the need to put three booths into service on the Greek Cypriot side and increase staffing to alleviate the traffic congestion currently being experienced there.”
President Erhürman noted that the number of booths and personnel on the Greek Cypriot side of Metehan was “insufficient,” adding that the concerns of the Deputy Mayor of South Nicosia and Greek Cypriots experiencing difficulties at the crossing had also been reported.
“The Metehan crossing problem affects both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, contrary to claims that my proposals benefit only one side,” the President said.
President Erhürman stated that discussions continue to resolve the problems at the crossings, noting that contact had been made with the Greek Cypriot Negotiator Menelaos Menelou, and that Presidential Undersecretary Mehmet Dânâ and the President’s Chief of Staff, Mustafa Ergüven, had carried out on-site inspections.
“Solutions to the congestion can be implemented without difficulty,” President Erhürman said. “The Turkish Cypriot side has put forward multiple observations and proposals aimed at addressing the issue promptly.”
President Erhürman noted that he raised these issues with Ms. Holguín, adding: “Even on simple matters, no steps have yet been taken. I outlined to Ms. Holguín how progress could be achieved on the remaining issues. My hope is that the necessary actions are taken swiftly to ease the difficulties affecting people’s daily lives and to prevent both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots from enduring hours of hardship. I also conveyed our concern to Ms. Holguín that, despite the passage of time, no results have yet been achieved.”
President Erhürman stated that after Ms. Holguin completes her contacts, a trilateral meeting will take place with the Greek Cypriot leader, adding that he had informed the UN Personal Envoy that he is ready for any additional meetings or contacts needed before the trilateral session.
President Erhürman continued: “I hope that at our next meeting, we will be able to hold discussions that advance progress on the three topics we conveyed to Ms. Holguín.”
Responding to a question on whether the 5+1 meeting had been raised during the meeting with Ms. Holguín, President Erhürman said: “It would have been beneficial if the previous 5+1 meetings held in New York and Geneva had produced tangible results. However, it is not our preference to hold similar meetings again without achieving outcomes here. I want to first resolve the issues here in Lefkoşa. We do not avoid or oppose 5+1 meetings, but I informed Ms. Holguín that for such a meeting to be productive, preparations should first be made in Lefkoşa, the problems addressed with tangible results, and only then should the meeting be convened.”
In a separate statement to the press following the meeting, Ms. Holguín stated that she was pleased to be back on the island and congratulated President Tufan Erhürman on his election.
She described the meeting as “productive” and said she looked forward to hosting the trilateral meeting between the two leaders, scheduled for next week.
Ms. Holguin stated that she will strive to ensure that a “productive meeting takes place between the two leaders and myself”.
Ms. Holguin paid tribute to the work of the Technical Committee on Youth, adding that “the committee meeting held in Amman was very productive”.
Ms. Holguín concluded her remarks by stating: “I hope people recognise the need to support the efforts of the two leaders, and that the leaders will do what is necessary. That is my message. I wish everyone a good and productive week.”
President Tufan Erhürman briefed the press following his tête-à-tête meeting at the Presidency with María Angela Holguín, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, stating that the discussions lasted over an hour and were “productive”.
Explaining that the meeting focused on three main topics, President Erhürman said: “The first concerned the substance of our four-point methodology proposal — which I had proposed during my meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader, in which Ms. Holguín had participated via videoconference -- and the reasoning behind it. I had the opportunity to explain the methodology to Ms. Holguín in detail.”
President Erhürman stated that the second topic was the 10-point package presented by the Turkish side during his first meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides, noting that they discussed the details of the package and what each point entails. Emphasising that “discussions from the previous period were also taken up with Ms. Holguín,” President Erhürman stressed that they reviewed the proposed confidence building measures regarding the Haspolat, Louroujina [Akıncılar] and Kıracıköy crossing points, as well as the European Union financed solar power plant project in the buffer zone.
Traffic congestion at Metehan crossing point
President Erhürman emphasised that a portion of the meeting focused on problems at the Metehan crossing point, noting that “traffic congestion at Metehan continues to pose a major problem.” He added that the area had been visited prior to the start of buffer zone infrastructure works to evaluate and pinpoint the issues.
Stressing that the Metehan crossing was part of the 10-point package discussed with Mr. Christodoulides, President Erhürman emphasised that they had “highlighted the need to put three booths into service on the Greek Cypriot side and increase staffing to alleviate the traffic congestion currently being experienced there.”
President Erhürman noted that the number of booths and personnel on the Greek Cypriot side of Metehan was “insufficient,” adding that the concerns of the Deputy Mayor of South Nicosia and Greek Cypriots experiencing difficulties at the crossing had also been reported.
“The Metehan crossing problem affects both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, contrary to claims that my proposals benefit only one side,” the President said.
President Erhürman stated that discussions continue to resolve the problems at the crossings, noting that contact had been made with the Greek Cypriot Negotiator Menelaos Menelou, and that Presidential Undersecretary Mehmet Dânâ and the President’s Chief of Staff, Mustafa Ergüven, had carried out on-site inspections.
“Solutions to the congestion can be implemented without difficulty,” President Erhürman said. “The Turkish Cypriot side has put forward multiple observations and proposals aimed at addressing the issue promptly.”
President Erhürman noted that he raised these issues with Ms. Holguín, adding: “Even on simple matters, no steps have yet been taken. I outlined to Ms. Holguín how progress could be achieved on the remaining issues. My hope is that the necessary actions are taken swiftly to ease the difficulties affecting people’s daily lives and to prevent both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots from enduring hours of hardship. I also conveyed our concern to Ms. Holguín that, despite the passage of time, no results have yet been achieved.”
President Erhürman stated that after Ms. Holguin completes her contacts, a trilateral meeting will take place with the Greek Cypriot leader, adding that he had informed the UN Personal Envoy that he is ready for any additional meetings or contacts needed before the trilateral session.
President Erhürman continued: “I hope that at our next meeting, we will be able to hold discussions that advance progress on the three topics we conveyed to Ms. Holguín.”
Responding to a question on whether the 5+1 meeting had been raised during the meeting with Ms. Holguín, President Erhürman said: “It would have been beneficial if the previous 5+1 meetings held in New York and Geneva had produced tangible results. However, it is not our preference to hold similar meetings again without achieving outcomes here. I want to first resolve the issues here in Lefkoşa. We do not avoid or oppose 5+1 meetings, but I informed Ms. Holguín that for such a meeting to be productive, preparations should first be made in Lefkoşa, the problems addressed with tangible results, and only then should the meeting be convened.”
In a separate statement to the press following the meeting, Ms. Holguín stated that she was pleased to be back on the island and congratulated President Tufan Erhürman on his election.
She described the meeting as “productive” and said she looked forward to hosting the trilateral meeting between the two leaders, scheduled for next week.
Ms. Holguin stated that she will strive to ensure that a “productive meeting takes place between the two leaders and myself”.
Ms. Holguin paid tribute to the work of the Technical Committee on Youth, adding that “the committee meeting held in Amman was very productive”.
Ms. Holguín concluded her remarks by stating: “I hope people recognise the need to support the efforts of the two leaders, and that the leaders will do what is necessary. That is my message. I wish everyone a good and productive week.”