Leaders meet for the first time
The island’s two leaders came together today for the first time as community leaders in a UN-facilitated meeting held inside the United Nations Protected Area.
According to the UN, the encounter took place in a cordial atmosphere and allowed the sides to exchange initial views after a long pause in direct contact.
The leaders agreed to meet jointly with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Angela Holguín, during her early-December visit and signalled readiness to work toward a broader informal meeting to be convened by the Secretary-General.
Their representatives have also been instructed to begin regular preparatory contacts in the coming days.
President Tufan Erhürman and the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides met today for the first time as the leaders of their respective communities.
The meeting, facilitated by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP, was held in the United Nations Protected Area, with the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Angela Holguín Cuéllar, joining virtually.
The encounter provided an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views for the first time in a cordial atmosphere.
According to a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson in Cyprus, both sides welcomed Ms. Holguín’s upcoming early-December visit to the island and agreed to hold a joint meeting with her during her stay.
They also expressed readiness to work towards the next informal meeting in a broader format, to be convened by the Secretary-General.
The leaders further agreed to explore additional opportunities for joint meetings.
They instructed their representatives to hold regular meetings in preparation for Ms. Holguín’s visit and, in particular, for the broader informal meeting planned under the Secretary-General’s auspices.
