President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday that determining the next meetings was the most important outcome at the informal meeting on Cyprus, in broader format, that took place in New York, on July 16-17.
Speaking before attending an event to commemorate those who went missing during the 1974 Turkish invasion, in Kornos, Larnaca district, the President said that under the circumstances, ahead of the New York meeting, the Greek Cypriot side had set three goals as the minimum expected outcome. I deem the result to correspond to our minimum goals, he said, adding that if there had been political will from the Turkish side “we could certainly achieve more.”
Apart from the next meetings, the President also noted as significant the references made by the UN Secretary-General and the UK Minister of State for Europe in relation to the format for a Cyprus settlement, in front of the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. In this regard, the President also noted public interventions made by the President of the European Commission and the European Council, the French President and the US Ambassador.
“It is now clear to the Turkish side that the intended goal and everything they are saying about two states cannot be discussed under any circumstances,” the President stressed, pointing to the Turkish position for a “two state solution” that is not in line with the relevant UN resolutions for a Cyprus settlement.
The President also said that the process in relation to the opening of crossing points will continue with the involvement of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin.
He said that he told participants at the New York meeting that he accepts the two proposals by the Turkish side for crossing points, noting that they need to accept in return the two Greek Cypriot suggestions, while discussions will continue.
Speaking about his tete-a-tete in New York with Hakan Fidan, the President said that his message to Turkey “was clear: If you mean everything you say about your desire for a European perspective for Turkey, the ball is in your court”.
Addressing the humanitarian issue of missing persons, the President noted that he raised it during the meeting in New York, stressing the need to have a Truth Commission, in addition to the Committee on Missing Persons. “Unfortunately, there was once again a refusal from the Turkish side,” he said, while pledging that “we will not stop until the fate of all missing persons is determined.”
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.
A second informal meeting on Cyprus in broader format was held in New York, on July 16-17, 2025. Another meeting is anticipated later this year, to follow up on initiatives, agreed by the parties, which the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said they demonstrate a commitment to continuing a dialogue on the way forward. Guterres also announced that he would meet jointly with Cyprus leaders during the General Assembly high-level week, in September.
The two sides in Cyprus continue discussions on outstanding issues, including the opening of crossing points and a solar energy installation in the buffer zone. They also agreed to cooperate on a number of issues, including the exchange of cultural artifacts, while Maria Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, will continue her efforts.
The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process, in close cooperation with Holguín.
