Christodoulides protests Holguin's meeting with Turkish ambassador Başçeri

Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides has expressed “great displeasure” to Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy on Cyprus, over her meeting with Turkey's ambassador to Nicosia, Ali Murat Başçeri. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the meeting contradicted UN Security Council Resolution 550, calling it “unacceptable” and “an unfortunate moment.”

Letymbiotis said the meeting had been arranged by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay to convey a message. After a roughly 30-minute meeting with Christodoulides, Holguin said, “We hope to hear good news.” She had met Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman the previous day and is due to hold a separate meeting with him on Wednesday.

Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot side expects progress on three key headings set by the UN Secretary-General and on three proposals made by Christodoulides. He said a joint meeting planned for 9 November would allow all three headings to be discussed comprehensively.