The Government of Cyprus has responded positively to a proposal by the United Nations to hold a joint meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on September 27 in New York, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis noted that Nicosia had been consulted by the UN on the proposed date and had given its positive response. He added that official announcements would be issued by the UN once arrangements are finalised.
Commenting on President Christodoulides’ earlier meeting with UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín, the Spokesperson said that her presence ahead of the President’s trip to New York and the upcoming meeting with Tatar points out the Secretary-General’s personal commitment to restarting negotiations, always within the agreed framework.
The focus of the discussions, Letymbiotis said, was preparation for the meeting.
“The President of the Republic reiterated clearly our side’s willingness to continue contributing in every possible way to the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to restart negotiations from the point at which they were left, always in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.
Holguín is scheduled to meet Tatar on Monday and Greek Cypriot Negotiator Menelaos Menelaou on Tuesday. During her visit, she will also hold talks with the Technical Committee on Youth, visit cemeteries restored under the confidence-building measures, and meet representatives of the Chambers of Commerce.
Letymbiotis also said that Holguín will attend the New York meeting with the UN Secretary-General, President Christodoulides, and Tatar.
On progress regarding the confidence-building measures (CBMs) agreed during previous multilateral talks on the Cyprus issue, Letymbiotis said that while some progress has been made, it falls short of what the Government had hoped for. He added that if the necessary sincere political will had been demonstrated, further progress could have been achieved on crossing points, a topic extensively discussed at previous conferences with the agreement of all parties.
“Of course, we continue the constructive efforts we have made to support the UN Secretary-General’s initiatives, and it is with this determination and philosophy that we approach the joint meeting in New York,” he said. He stressed, however, that although progress on CBMs should be rapid and tangible, it cannot be a substitute for the ultimate goal of restarting substantive negotiations from the point they were interrupted.
‘Turkey’s claims on sovereignty are ironic”
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Asked to comment on statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding alleged violations of Turkey’s sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, Letymbiotis said: “It is at least ironic that Turkey speaks of respect (of sovereignty) when it is the first to violate it.”
He stressed that international law cannot be applied selectively.
“It is ironic that Ankara presents itself as a defender of international law while simultaneously disregarding it daily. Turkey’s provocations and violations have been repeatedly condemned by the international community, which is the true measure. The sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, a full EU member state, are guaranteed and non-negotiable,” he said.
He added that Turkey should demonstrate through actions—rather than meaningless statements—that it respects the sovereignty and rights of all states in the Eastern Mediterranean, its neighbours, and the fundamental principles of international law.
“So far, Turkey’s actions over the past 51 years have shown precisely the opposite, flagrantly disregarding international law,” he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
The latest informal meeting on Cyprus in broader format was held in New York, on July 16-17, 2025.
