Tufan Erhurman discusses confidence-building measures and trust-eroding actions

Following his contacts at the 81st UN General Assembly, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman held a press conference on September 28, 2026, to address the status of Cyprus peace negotiations. Erhurman rejected claims that he refuses to participate in high-level meetings, stating that he is prepared for tripartite or five-party (5+1) talks if they are aimed at substantive outcomes rather than symbolic gestures. He proposed intensive marathon sessions in Nicosia as a precursor to formal international summits.

Erhurman concurrently introduced the concept of "trust-eroding actions," distinguishing these from standard confidence-building measures (CBMs). He formally raised concerns with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and personal representative Maria Angela Holguin regarding events he claims damage social trust. Specifically, he cited the cancellation of festivals and a youth camp in Kyrenia, efforts to restrict Turkish Cypriot officials from meeting foreign diplomats, European Parliament decisions pushed by Greek Cypriot MEPs, and arrests related to property disputes. He emphasized that these actions hinder the progress of the seven existing CBMs currently on the table.