An informal meeting in Geneva, next week will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.
“After concluding his visit to Bangladesh, as we had already told you, the Secretary-General will arrive in Geneva, Switzerland, where he is convening the two Cypriot leaders and the Guarantor Powers of Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom for an informal meeting on Cyprus” said Dujarric during the daily press briefing, at the UN headquarters.
He added that meetings will be held at the UN officers, in Geneva.
“The meeting will take place from 17 to 18 March and is being held in the context of the Secretary-General’s own good offices efforts on the Cyprus issue and as agreed with the two leaders on 15 October of last year” he added.
The informal meeting, he said, will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue.
“Of course, the United Nations remains committed to supporting the Cypriot leaders and all Cypriots,” Dujarric added.
According to UN sources, along with the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, will also attend the informal meeting.
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. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced an expanded meeting, in Geneva, on March 17 and 18, to exchange views with the Cyprus President and the Turkish Cypriot leader on ways of achieving progress on the Cyprus issue, following their informal dinner on October 15, 2024, in New York. Representatives from Greece, Turkey and the UK are also expected to attend the meeting.
