The informal conference on Cyprus in Geneva has concluded with UN Secretary-General António Guterres declaring it represents “the most significant progress since 2017” on the long-standing dispute.
The two sides have shown intention to continue the dialogue, Guterres told reporters after the plenary session ended. “We will have a new multilateral meeting at the end of July,” he confirmed.
The announcement marks a potential breakthrough in the Cyprus issue, indicating positive developments emerging from the talks – the first such progress in nearly eight years.
President Christodoulides had set an optimistic tone earlier in the day, stating in English, “Where there is will, there is a way. I am ready,” as he entered the United Nations’ Palais des Nations for the final plenary session.
The plenary, which began at 13:00 Cyprus time, served as the culmination of the informal expanded meeting convened by Guterres to discuss future steps regarding the Cyprus problem.
The diplomatic event saw the UN Secretary-General arrive first, accompanied by UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Special Representative Colin Stewart. They were followed by British Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty with British High Commissioner to Cyprus Michael Tatham.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis subsequently arrived, followed by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and President Christodoulides. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was the last official to reach the venue.
A family photograph featuring the UN Secretary-General with both the Cyprus President and the Turkish Cypriot leader preceded a larger group photo that included all delegation heads – Christodoulides, Guterres, the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, the British Minister for Europe, and Tatar.
President Christodoulides was joined in the plenary by the Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, the Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, Attorney of the Republic Mary Anne Stavrinides, and legal expert Achilleas Aimilianides.
The talks represent a new diplomatic effort to restart negotiations on the divided island, which has been separated since 1974.
