A new diplomatic initiative led by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres could open the path toward a settlement of the decades-long Cyprus issue, according to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
In a TV interview on Tuesday evening, Christodoulides described the effort as a fresh attempt by the United Nations to generate momentum on the divided island, raising the prospect that negotiations could eventually produce a formal settlement framework.
“I believe this new initiative will lead to developments,” Christodoulides said, adding that all sides, beginning with himself, may soon be called upon to make “important and potentially difficult decisions.”
Christodoulides said the latest U.N. initiative emerged after Guterres met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey. The Cypriot President himself later discussed the matter directly with the UN chief in Brussels, where he was briefed on what he described as an ongoing process taking place away from public view.
Asked whether the parties were nearing a settlement plan, the Cypriot president stopped short of making direct predictions but suggested momentum was building.
We may be approaching developments that could pave the way for a settlement plan,” he said.
Turkey Seen as Central to Progress
While Christodoulides said he maintains an open and sincere dialogue with Turkish Cypriot politician Tufan Erhürman, he argued that Ankara remains the decisive actor in the process. “No one can dispute that the key lies with Turkey,” he said.
The Cypriot president declined to provide details of the ongoing contacts but confirmed that meetings linked to the UN initiative are taking place discreetly. He also revealed that he recently discussed the process with Erhürman, welcoming his engagement with the initiative.
Christodoulides also suggested that the Cyprus issue may now hold particular importance for the United Nations amid a crowded global agenda. Of all the international crises currently facing the organization, he said, Cyprus is the one issue where the secretary-general can still play a “substantive role.” He added that António Guterres is keen to see progress before his term ends later this year.
Christodoulides suggested that broader European dynamics could also shape the talks, emphasizing that the EU continues to play an important role and has shown strong interest in the process. He added that the United States is not currently involved.
Summer Conference Expected
The Cypriot leader said he expects the next informal expanded conference on Cyprus, which would include the guarantor powers and other stakeholders, to take place this summer.
He described the planned gathering as “crucially important” and said the Greek Cypriot side would also be prepared for a larger conference before the end of Guterres’ term later this year, depending on the outcome of current UN consultations.
Under the 1960 agreements that established the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom serve as guarantor powers.
Christodoulides also confirmed that María Ángela Holguín, the personal envoy appointed by the U.N. secretary-general, is expected to return to Cyprus in early June. Although she is currently outside the country, he said she remains actively engaged in advancing the initiative.
The Cypriot president dismissed suggestions that domestic political developments or Cyprus’ future presidency of the Council of the European Union could affect negotiations, insisting that preparations for the next phase of talks are already underway.
“The preparations for convening an informal expanded conference have already begun,” he said, adding that the Greek Cypriot side remains ready to respond to any invitation from the United Nations secretary-general.
Source: TA NEA
