Former negotiator Mavroyiannis: Erhürman’s victory opens narrow window for Cyprus talks

In an exclusive interview with EUalive’s partner Politis, Former chief negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis outlines the the possible formats for renewed negotiations, the obstacles, and explains why Cypriots are ready for a bizonal, bicommunal federation – if leaders act in good faith.

Mavroyiannis sees the Turkish Cypriot election of Tufan Erhürman as a cautious opportunity to restart reunification talks, but warns that success hinges on Turkish flexibility, Greek Cypriot preparation and a return to the 2017 Crans-Montana framework.

Erhürman’s victory and the four fronts of change for Cyprus

The election of Erhürman is a step in the right direction, Mavroyiannis tells Politis. “It does not solve the Cyprus problem, but it cracks open a window.” He stresses that the last constructive milestone in the Cyprus reunification talks was the November 2019 Berlin tripartite, which agreed to resume from Crans-Montana and confirmed political equality, including rotating presidency. The pandemic, delayed Turkish Cypriot elections and Ersin Tatar’s 2020 victory then froze progress. Mavroyiannis says the Greek Cypriot side has been trying ever since to get back on track.

Erhürman, a secular social-democrat, is cultivated, intellectually solid and deeply pro-European, Mavroyiannis says. His core ambition is to integrate the Turkish Cypriot community into the EU – a goal he knows requires reunification.

According to Mavroyiannis, crucially, Turkey created the space for his election, signalling Ankara’s tactical shift under Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The move serves multiple Turkish objectives: avoiding blame for stalemate, improving EU ties, modernising the Customs Union, joining the SAFE defence programme and advancing energy interests.

Negotiations must pick up from UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ six-point framework tabled at Crans-Montana in July 2017, Mavroyiannis insists. Greek Cypriots submitted written positions that the UN informally welcomed; Ankara rejected immediate abolition of guarantees and full troop withdrawal.

According to Mavroyiannis, key convergences already exist. Governance includes political equality and rotating presidency. On property, priority goes to the original owner in territorially adjusted areas and to the current user elsewhere, with compensation, exchange or mixed remedies.

“We agreed on principle – technical details remain”

For territory, guarantees and troops, Guterres proposed drastic troop reduction to Treaty of Alliance levels—roughly 650 Turkish and 950 Greek—and later discussion of final withdrawal, while guarantees would end immediately, though Turkey wanted review after years.

Reviving Greece’s old idea of a Five-Party Conference (Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, the Turkish Cypriot, and the Greek Cypriot sides), Mavroyiannis says that if a way can be found to overcome the difficulty that Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and wants the so-called “TRNC” to participate, that would be the most decisive step towards finding solutions. International law and legitimacy must be respected, but cooperation does not require formal recognition, Mavroyiannis notes.

The main obstacles are Turkish red lines on guarantees and troops, domestic spoilers on both sides, time pressure from EU fatigue and regional energy geopolitics, and the need to maintain public trust. Any deal must not be a leap into the unknown and must clearly improve daily life, the former chief negotiator says.

The majority in both communities want a solution, Mavroyiannis asserts, provided it is responsible, transparent and led by politicians willing to shoulder the burden. Erhürman’s mandate gives him room to negotiate within Ankara’s limits; Greek Cypriot preparation must be meticulous. Good faith and political will are non-negotiable, he stressed.

Mavroyiannis, an independent candidate for President in 2023 who obtained 26 percent in the first round, neither confirmed nor ruled out another presidential run in 2028.

“I do not rule out the possibility of seeking the Presidency again, but it’s something I will decide after consulting my close circle in the near future. I do feel, however, that some expectations have been created among the public regarding me and I find it difficult to disappoint them”, he said.

A longer version of this article and a video to the interview in Greek can be found here.

Caption: File photo. Andreas Mavroyiannis, Cyprus Minister for European Affairs, General Affairs Council, 11 December 2012, Council Newsroom