Nicosia reiterated on Tuesday before the UN Security Council its call for the resumption of negotiations for a Cyprus settlement under the UN Secretary – General’s good offices.
“We reiterate our call for the resumption of negotiations under the good offices of the Secretary-General, whose continued engagement, including last week’s broader meeting on Cyprus at the UN, is both a source of encouragement but also a clear message of the importance attached to continuing the efforts to achieve a lasting solution. We reiterate our call with renewed political will, determination and a clear commitment to the agreed UN framework,” Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Andreas Kakouris said.
Speaking at the Security Council’s high-level open debate on “Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Kakouris also called on the UN Security Council to fully implement its own resolutions and uphold international law in resolving disputes, including the longstanding division of Cyprus.
Reaffirming Cyprus’ commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in line with Security Council parameters, he welcomed the Secretary-General’s continued efforts, including the recent UN-hosted meeting on Cyprus.
He also expressed support for the work of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, and highlighted the importance of dialogue in overcoming deadlocks.
Kakouris further welcomed the increasing emphasis on the inclusion of women and youth in peace processes and reiterated Cyprus’ support to the principles of inclusivity, dialogue and confidence-building measures between the communities.
“We look forward to the time when the Cyprus issue is not a symbol of international inertia, but a demonstration of the enduring power of multilateral diplomacy to bring about peace,” he said.
Kakouris reaffirmed Nicosia’s firm commitment to multilateralism and diplomacy, while warning of the consequences of selective adherence to the UN Charter.
“We are reminded that the most sustainable form of peace is not forged through force, but through dialogue, diplomacy and international law,” Kakouris told Council members, praising Pakistan’s presidency for convening the debate and the Secretary-General for his “steadfast commitment” to the UN Charter.
He emphasized that Chapter VI of the UN Charter is not only a legal mechanism but a moral and practical roadmap for preventing conflict and resolving disputes peacefully. “The UN is not only a forum for crisis management, but a guardian of peace through cooperation, trust-building, and principled engagement,” he noted.
Reflecting on Cyprus’ own history, Kakouris described the island as “a case study of both the promise and the frustration of multilateralism,” citing the continued division of the country due to “the illegal use of force, foreign occupation, and the ongoing presence of foreign troops.”
He pointed to key Security Council resolutions, including 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), which affirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus and call for the withdrawal of foreign forces, but remain unimplemented. “This is not a failure of the principles enshrined in Chapter VI,” he stressed, “but of their inconsistent application.”
Kakouris said that “selective adherence both to international law and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions undermines not only the prospects of peace in Cyprus, but the credibility of the multilateral system itself”.
“When Security Council resolutions are disregarded, the very foundation of the rules-based international order is weakened,” he underlined.
Concluding his remarks, Kakouris underscored that peaceful settlement “is not merely the absence of armed conflict; it is the just and lasting resolution of disputes based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and the sovereignty of States.”
He called on the Security Council to do more to ensure compliance with its resolutions and make peaceful outcomes “not only possible but expected.”
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.