UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the two Cypriot leaders to rebuild trust and take steps towards resolving the Cyprus issue following an informal trilateral meeting in New York.
In an official statement released after the dinner meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, the UN detailed the outcomes of the talks.
Guterres acknowledged the efforts of his Personal Envoy for Cyprus, María Angela Holguín Cuéllar, whose mission concluded in July.
Despite her extensive engagement with both leaders, political actors, civil society, guarantor powers, and the international community, the UN chief expressed regret that no common ground was established between the leaders on the way forward.
“The Secretary-General encouraged the leaders to consider how to bridge the gap in their positions and rebuild trust to allow for movement towards a settlement,” the statement continues.
In a positive development, both leaders agreed to participate in a broader informal meeting “in the near future” under UN auspices to discuss next steps.
They also committed to meet in Cyprus to explore the possibility of opening new crossing points between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Guterres emphasised the UN’s “continued steadfast commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue, for the benefit of all Cypriots and future generations”.
