President Christodoulides meets Turkish Cypriot leader Erhurman to discuss Cyprus talks

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, is scheduled to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on October 13, 2026, at the United Nations Good Offices mission at Nicosia airport. This bilateral meeting, initiated by the Greek Cypriot side, aims to revive stalled peace negotiations that were interrupted in 2017. Despite the failure to hold a trilateral meeting in New York during the UN General Assembly, Christodoulides remains committed to utilizing a perceived "window of opportunity" to progress toward a functional and sustainable solution.

The discussions are expected to focus on 19 new proposals introduced by the Greek Cypriot side, covering methodology, core issues, and confidence-building measures (CBMs). President Christodoulides emphasizes that these proposals differ from previously rejected ones. A central document regarding convergences, prepared by the UN, is expected to serve as a framework for future talks. While the President has signaled readiness to make necessary concessions, he maintains that the return of the town of Morphou is non-negotiable.

The current political climate remains difficult due to entrenched disagreements over CBMs and the Turkish side’s stance, including past references to a two-state solution. While the UN continues to press both sides to work on the methodology of the negotiations before Secretary-General Antonio Guterres concludes his term, political observers note that the meeting faces challenges, including local partisan tensions and the absence of a breakthrough on core issues.