UN Special Envoy: Not enough progress on confidence-building measures in Cyprus

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy Maria Angela Olingin stated that there has still been insufficient progress on confidence-building measures within the framework of the Cyprus settlement.

Olingin made the statement following a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Cyprus. According to her, the meeting was constructive, and later on Tuesday she intends to meet with the leader of Northern Cyprus, Erhiurman.

The Special Envoy noted that without progress on confidence-building measures, it will be very difficult to convene an expanded “5+1” meeting on the Cyprus issue. During the discussion with the president, the need to accelerate work on key points of the process was addressed.

Olingin stated that in the joint meeting the following day with the two leaders, the main focus will be on negotiation methodology and the four points previously proposed by Erhiurman. She expressed hope for progress on these matters.

When asked about the possibility of holding a “5+1” meeting next month, Olingin replied that it depends on the progress achieved by both leaders on confidence-building measures.