UN Chief Guterres to Convene New Cyprus Peace Talks

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced a renewed effort to resolve the long-standing Cyprus conflict, signaling his intention to convene a new round of negotiations.

This initiative follows Guterres's visit to the divided island, during which he secured commitments from key stakeholders. He confirmed that both Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis and the leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman, have agreed to participate. The guarantor powers, Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, are also expected to be involved in the proposed "five-plus-one" conference format.

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I do not want another five-plus-one meeting without results.

Guterres stressed that for any future talks to be successful, comprehensive preparations are essential. "I do not want another five-plus-one meeting without results," he stated, underscoring his commitment to avoiding a repeat of past unsuccessful negotiations, such as the major UN-sponsored talks that collapsed in 2017. The ultimate goal, he explained, is to pave the way for a lasting solution to the island's division.

The UN chief highlighted the broader significance of resolving the Cyprus issue, describing it as crucial not only for the peace and interests of Cypriots but also as a stabilizing factor in an increasingly volatile Middle East region. He suggested that a solution could positively impact regional stability, while without one, the island remains vulnerable to regional risks. While Guterres did not specify the exact form a solution might take, discussions have historically included a federal state or a two-state solution, the latter favored by Turkey.

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not only, to preserve the interests and the peace of the Cypriots, but as a factor of stability in a region that is increasingly dangerously unstable.