Tufan Erhürman calls for Nicosia to complete UN 'homework' following trilateral meeting

Following the recent trilateral meeting in Cyprus involving UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman has publicly emphasized the necessity of substantial preparation before moving toward a formal 5+1 format conference. Guterres has indicated that he secured agreement from both sides and the guarantor powers to proceed with such a meeting, provided that sufficient progress is made on confidence-building measures, methodology, and substantive issues.

Erhürman stated that the Secretary-General's requirements, which he described as "homework" for Nicosia, are clear and require no further interpretation. He reaffirmed his side's readiness to engage in weekly meetings with the Greek Cypriot leadership to prepare the ground for a successful result. In contrast, Turkish media reports have highlighted diplomatic tensions, specifically criticizing Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides for his protocol conduct during the trilateral session, while presenting Erhürman as a central figure in the process.

The current status remains centered on whether Nicosia can meet the prerequisites for a 5+1 meeting. Guterres has expressed that he intends to avoid a repeat of past meetings that failed to produce concrete outcomes, aiming instead for a process that creates a viable path toward a solution.