United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced plans to convene a new 5+1 Cyprus meeting following his first official visit to the island, calling for renewed trust and confidence-building between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
After meeting President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, Guterres said preparations would focus on confidence-building, methodology and previous areas of agreement to support future negotiations.
- The 5+1 format includes the two Cypriot leaders, Greece, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United Nations.
- Guterres reaffirmed support for UNFICYP, stressing the importance of respecting its mandate and maintaining stability.
- He also highlighted the role of civil society and bicommunal initiatives in supporting long-term peace.
The Secretary-General said a lasting settlement would benefit both Cypriots and contribute to stability across the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Cyprus dispute dates back to 1974, when a coup backed by Greece was followed by a Turkish military intervention, leading to the island’s division.
The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus administers the south, while the north is controlled by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Türkiye.
Despite decades of UN-led negotiations, including the collapse of talks in Crans-Montana in 2017, no comprehensive settlement has been reached, leaving the island one of Europe’s longest-running unresolved political disputes.
ℹ️ UN News
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