An agreement was reached for new crossing points in Cyprus: Statement from Erhürman after the tripartite meeting

TRNC President Tufan Erhürman held a press conference at the Presidency after the tripartite meeting with the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) leader Nikos Hristodulidis, hosted by the Personal Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar.

Explaining that they presented a proposal package regarding confidence-building measures at the meeting, Erhürman said that the package did not contain new demands, but consisted of bridging proposals aiming to reach consensus between the parties on issues that could not be concluded before.

"WE AGREED ON AKINCILAR-LIMYA AND KAMPO-GEMİKONAĞI CROSSING POINTS"

Stating that they offered suggestions consisting of more than one stage regarding the opening of crossing points, Erhürman stated that they first proposed opening all crossing points as a package.

He stated that in case this proposal is not accepted, they suggested opening the Haspolat and Kampo-Gemikonağı crossing points, and in the last stage, Akıncılar-Limya and Kampo-Gemikonağı crossing points should be put into operation.

Erhürman announced that a consensus was reached on the last proposal during the meeting and an agreement was reached on opening the Akıncılar-Limya and Kampo-Gemikonağı crossing points.

He stated that the issues of opening other crossing points and transportation to Pyla will be discussed in the tripartite meeting that is expected to be held with the participation of the UN Secretary-General in the coming weeks.

A JOINT RESPONSE MECHANISM TO DISASTER WILL BE ESTABLISHED

Stating that progress was made in joint action against disasters that may occur on the island during the meeting, Erhürman said that an agreement was reached for the relevant technical committee to work on a joint response mechanism.

He announced that the military mechanism proposal, which envisaged the soldiers of the two sides coming together within the scope of the problems in the buffer zone and demining efforts, was not accepted.

Erhürman stated that the EduBites study, which was prepared by the Education Technical Committee and is in the completion phase, has not yet been accepted.

IMAGINE PROGRAM RESTART ACCEPTED

Stating that they proposed to return the IMAGINE program to its original structure within the scope of confidence-building measures in the field of education, Erhürman announced that this proposal was accepted.

He said that the program is envisaged to be restarted under the management and supervision of the Education Technical Committee, in a way that children can participate regardless of citizenship.

He stated that the proposal to share information, data and materials regarding the antiquities found on both sides and belonging to the other side regarding cultural heritage was accepted.

Erhürman announced that an agreement was reached on the implementation of three projects completed by the Environmental Technical Committee.

RESTORATION OF MARONITE CHURCHES AND ARMENIAN MONASTERY IS ON THE AGENDA

Erhürman also touched upon the restoration of Maronite churches and the Armenian Monastery and stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to work in cooperation with the relevant communities.

Stating that the expertise of the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee will be used in the studies, Erhürman said that this approach was also included in the joint statement prepared after the tripartite meeting.

"AFTER 9 YEARS OF STAGE, WE TAKEN STEPS FORWARD"

Describing the nine-year period from the Crans-Montana talks in 2017 to 2026 as stagnation, Erhürman stated that the compromises reached in the last meeting were important.

Stating that they do not expect all problems to be solved in a single meeting, Erhürman evaluated the results obtained as modest but forward-looking steps.

Stating that the new tripartite meeting, which is planned to be held with the participation of the UN Secretary General, is expected to be held within weeks, Erhürman said that a definitive date has not been determined yet.

"WE OFFERED A GAME-CHANGING PROPOSAL, I WANT TO GIVE DIPLOMACY A CHANCE"

Explaining that he presented another proposal during the meeting that he has not yet shared with the public, Erhürman stated that he sees this proposal as important and game-changing for the solution process of the Cyprus problem.

Stating that he did not want to explain the content of the proposal, Erhürman said the following:

"I don't want this proposal to be wasted. I want to give diplomacy a chance."

Stating that he did not want the proposal to be evaluated based on the first reactions, Erhürman continued his words as follows:

"We did not make this proposal with the aim of scoring a goal or getting ahead on this occasion. If it is thought through thoroughly, I think it will really provide the opportunity to create a significant change in the negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue."

"POLITICAL EQUALITY AND TRANSFORMATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE PART OF THE NEGOTIATION METHODOLOGY"

Answering the questions of members of the press, Erhürman also shared his views on the political equality of Turkish Cypriots and the rotating presidency.

Erhürman stated that the issue of political equality is one of the main factors why the Cyprus problem has not been resolved so far, and said that he does not find it right to match the rotating presidency with other negotiation topics such as security and guarantees.

Stating that the rotating presidency is a symbolic indicator of the Turkish Cypriots' ability to lead at certain periods in the joint structure to be established, Erhürman argued that this reveals whether the Greek Cypriot side is ready to share the political power and wealth on the island.

"WE DO NOT SEE NON-SOLUTION AS A SOLUTION"

Emphasizing that they acted in full consultation with Türkiye, Erhürman stated that negotiations should not be continued just for the sake of holding a meeting.

Erhürman said, "We do not see non-solution as a solution. However, this time it should be different. The Greek Cypriot side must show that it is ready to share the power and wealth on the island with the Turkish Cypriots."

Stating that their goal is to initiate a negotiation process with the possibility of reaching a solution, Erhürman stated that he also suggested an informal meeting with Hristodulidis within the scope of the event to be held in Antalya.

Erhürman said that Hristodulidis stated that he could not spare time for this meeting due to his busy schedule.

Re-evaluating the results obtained during the tripartite meeting, Erhürman stated that although the steps taken were limited, they meant progress after nine years of stagnation.