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Erhurman: Useful and Productive Meeting with Guterres

Published February 12, 2026, 09:16
Erhurman: Useful and Productive Meeting with Guterres

Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, described his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as "useful and productive." The meeting, which lasted longer than scheduled, focused on the prospects for restarting talks on the Cyprus issue and the need for practical measures to improve everyday life. Erhurman presented a four-point methodology proposal, emphasizing that the process must have a specific outcome and not be merely talks for the sake of talks, in order to avoid new disappointments for the Turkish Cypriot community. Particular emphasis was placed on Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) and the opening of new crossing points, with Erhurman arguing that these issues should be resolved directly in Nicosia by the two leaders and not at international conferences such as the "5+1." He believed that reaching agreements at a local level would send a positive message of determination. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is said to remain committed to the Cyprus issue, showing no signs of fatigue or pessimism, and recognizing the concerns of Turkish Cypriots. He also expressed a desire for more frequent contact with Erhurman in the future. However, no specific timelines or the format of an upcoming process were discussed. Republican Turkish Party (RTP) "deputy" Fikri Toros welcomed the meeting, expressing confidence that Erhurman's proposal and the promotion of CBMs could give new impetus to the process and foster the necessary climate of trust between the two communities.