Efforts to restart Cyprus talks should be stepped up, Greek Cypriot negotiator says

Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou has said efforts to restart talks on Cyprus should be increased. In remarks to Astra, reported by the Haravgi newspaper, Menelaou said the sides aim to advance preparatory work on the basis, methodology and Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) to create conditions for resuming talks and a new enlarged meeting.

Menelaou said points of convergence on the Cyprus problem had been recorded by the United Nations but had not been presented to the parties because not all sides had approved them. He said political equality and rotating presidency were recorded alongside convergences on security, guarantees, territory and property, and argued that negotiation gains should be comprehensively confirmed rather than selectively. He also claimed that the lack of a written form does not change the official nature of the 19 proposals submitted by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.

On crossing points Athienou (Kiracıköy)-Pyroi (Gaziler)-Eglence and Mia Milia (Haspolat), Menelaou claimed the UN Secretary-General's proposal had been accepted by the Greek Cypriot side but not by the Turkish Cypriot side. Efforts will be increased with the arrival of UN Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin, and leaders are expected to meet before her visit. A Christodoulides-Holguin meeting has been set for 30 October.