Today, the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Tufan Erhüman, met for the first time as the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. Their meeting, facilitated by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), took place in the United Nations Protected Area. The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ms. María Angela Holguín Cuéllar also participated virtually.

The meeting provided the two leaders an opportunity to have their first exchange of views in a cordial atmosphere.

Mr. Erhüman and Mr. Christodoulides looked forward to the visit of Ms. Holguín and agreed to have a joint meeting with her when she will be on the island in early December. They also expressed their readiness to work towards the next informal meeting in a broader format, to be convened by the Secretary-General.

Both leaders further agreed to explore other opportunities for joint meetings.

The leaders instructed their representatives to hold regular meetings in preparation for the visit of Ms. Holguín’s visit and, in particular, for the next informal meeting in a broader format, to be convened by the Secretary-General.