President Nikos Christodoulides said his sole objective was to resume Cyprus talks ahead of his first meeting with the new Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Thursday.

“I go with the sole aim of achieving positive results towards resuming talks from where they were interrupted at Crans-Montana,” he said.

The meeting, at the residence of the United Nations secretary-general’s special representative, Khassim Diagne, near the old Nicosia airport, lasted around one hour and gave the leaders a chance to exchange views in a cordial atmosphere.

Both Erhurman and Christodoulides welcoming the upcoming visit of UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin and agreeing to hold a joint meeting with her when she arrives in early December. 

They also expressed readiness to work towards the next informal meeting in a broader format, to be convened by the secretary-general, and agreed to explore further opportunities for joint contacts.

Their representatives have been instructed to meet regularly to prepare both for Holguin’s visit and for the broader informal meeting.

President Christodoulides was the first to arrive, accompanied by negotiator Menelaos Menelaou.

As he left the presidential palace to travel to the old Nicosia airport for the meeting, Christodoulides said that he is bringing with him several proposals and approaches aimed at creating developments that could lead to restarting negotiations.

“I have with me several proposals and I sincerely hope there will be the same approach, a response, and that after the meeting there will be good news to announce,” he said.

Holguin, also participated in the meeting via videoconference from Lima, Peru, where she is currently based.

Erhurman arrived accompanied by the Turkish Cypriot ‘presidential’ undersecretary Mehmet Dana, who is reportedly being appointed by Erhurman as the new negotiator for the Turkish Cypriot side.

The two leaders were welcomed upon arrival by special representative Diagne, who escorted them inside the residence. 

Following the meeting, Erhurman held a press conference at the presidency at 11am, answering questions from journalists.

In statements on Tuesday, President Christodoulides said he hoped the talks would produce concrete results that could lead to the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue. He specifically referred to continuing discussions from where they were left at Crans-Montana.

“I hope, and with this expectation I go to the meeting, that there will be concrete positive outcomes towards resuming talks from where they were interrupted at Crans-Montana,” he said.

“We are fully prepared and, I repeat, I hope there will be a response from the other side so that negotiations can begin as soon as possible.”

The meeting marks the first engagement between the new Turkish Cypriot leadership and the Cypriot president.