Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou on Tuesday warned that Cyprus risks “being trapped” if progress on confidence-building measures between the island’s two sides is not achieved, while saying that statements made by United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin on the matter were “not encouraging”.

“The messages from the president [Nikos Christodoulides]’ meeting with Holguin are not encouraging. If we do not move quickly and without hindrance, we risk being trapped again, with the future of the Cyprus issue now becoming extremely uncertain,” he wrote in a post on social media.

Earlier, he had told parliament that he wished to “send a message” to Christodoulides.

“Let him not get stuck on the issue of crossing points, because perhaps a crossing point could pave the way for substantive negotiations on the Cyprus issue,” he said.

Holguin had earlier in the day lamented that “not much progress” had been achieved on confidence-building measures between the two sides since her previous visit to the island last month, following her meeting with Christodoulides.

However, she appeared more optimistic following a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman later in the day, saying that a tripartite meeting with both leaders on Wednesday will be “of substance”.

“We are to take a look at both sides’ concerns about the way that we will resume talks,” she said, adding that she is “expectant that tomorrow we will have some news about the confidence-building measures”.

The issue of crossing points is expected to be raised on Wednesday, with Erhurman having said last week that he wishes for a “second vehicular crossing point in Nicosia”to complement the oft overcrowded Ayios Dhometios crossing point.

“We are working on a map which targets four crossing points, starting from Mia Milia and extending through Athienou to Louroujina,” he said.

“Opening a new crossing point is not economically beneficial for the Turkish Cypriots, but that does not concern me at all. What concerns me is that our people do not suffer hardship at the crossing points.”