UN Leader Commends Advancements in Cyprus Discussions

Synopsis

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted meaningful advancements in the informal Cyprus talks held in Geneva. Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed on trust-building measures and planned another meeting in July. The discussions aim to address the long-standing division of Cyprus since 1974.

Key Takeaways

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the progress made in Cyprus talks.
New trust-building measures were agreed upon by both sides.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for late July.
Efforts include initiatives on youth, environment, and demining.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 due to historical conflicts.

Geneva, March 19 (NationPress) The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the informal discussions regarding the Cyprus situation, which spanned two days in Geneva, Switzerland, achieved significant progress.

The event, organized at Guterres' initiative, was held at the UN Office in Geneva. It included the participation of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, along with representatives from Greece, Turkey, and Britain, the three guarantor nations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Guterres conveyed that the discussions produced advancements, as both factions consented to a set of new trust-building measures, cultivating a fresh atmosphere for dialogue.

Additionally, he highlighted that the involved parties agreed to organize another meeting in late July and to appoint a new UN Special Envoy for the Cyprus matter.

"Mr. Tatar and Mr. Christodoulides have concurred on a series of initiatives to enhance trust," Guterres noted, enumerating the "opening of the four crossing points, demining efforts, establishment of a technical committee on youth, initiatives concerning the environment and climate change, including effects on mining regions; solar energy in the buffer zone, and restoration of cemeteries."

Media reports indicate that Christodoulides expressed satisfaction with the results, while Tatar similarly conveyed his contentment with the discussions.

Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided following a Turkish military intervention that succeeded a coup by Greek military officers. A buffer zone separating the Greek and Turkish Cypriot areas of the island has been managed by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Peace negotiations have been stagnant since the breakdown of a similar summit in Switzerland in July 2017. Since then, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have intensified their position, advocating for permanent division and international acknowledgment of a separate state formed by Turkey in 1983.