President Christodoulides has announced he will attend next week’s UN-hosted talks on the Cyprus issue with “specific plans and proposals,” while uncertainty remains about the UN Secretary-General’s approach to the long-standing dispute.
The high-stakes meeting in Geneva comes amid continuing differences between Greek and Turkish Cypriot positions, with Antonio Guterres’s intentions not fully clear to the participating parties one week before discussions begin.
“We are going to Geneva with a specific plan and concrete proposals that we will submit to the discussion table,” Christodoulides said, acknowledging Turkish intransigence but emphasising his obligation to pursue a settlement.
The UN Secretary-General has not revealed his strategy, potentially indicating he is either awaiting fresh discussions with leaders before deciding his approach, or has prepared a roadmap to present separately to each side for their consideration.
This approach puts pressure on both sides to either cooperate toward restarting negotiations or maintain positions that could lead to another diplomatic impasse.
According to diplomatic sources, the Greek Cypriot side and Greece appear to favour resuming peace efforts, with Britain adopting a similar stance. Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkey have taken positions that observers suggest could obstruct progress.
“What is our alternative? To continuously talk about Turkish intransigence, or to do everything possible from our side to end the occupation and reunify our homeland?” Christodoulides said.
The Cypriot president travelled to Athens on Saturday for working meetings with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the Geneva conference being the sole topic on their agenda. Sources indicate both leaders aim to present a unified position during the talks.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Previous UN-led peace efforts have failed to produce a comprehensive settlement.
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