Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis announced developments regarding the Cyprus problem, including talks in a broader format. At the same time, he stated that “the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations has contributed to the resumption of the talks and has created better conditions for their progress”.
In an interview with the Newspaper of Editors, Gerapetritis stresses that the Cyprus problem remains a top priority for Greek foreign policy and describes as significant milestones the appointment by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of his personal envoy, Maria-Angela Holguin, and the first informal discussion, on 15 October 2024, between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, under the Secretary-General of the UN.
“As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Greece has taken targeted actions within the Security Council to achieve the best possible outcome. The renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate will undoubtedly contribute to efforts aimed at finding a viable and just solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the Security Council Resolutions,” the Greek Foreign Minister noted.
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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
On October 15, 2024, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hosted an informal dinner with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in New York, encouraging “the leaders to consider how to bridge the gap in their positions and rebuild trust to allow movement leading to a settlement.”
At the meeting, President Christodoulides and Tatar agreed to have an informal meeting in a broader format in the near future, under the auspices of the Secretary-General, to discuss the way forward.
Also read: Gerapetritis welcomes ceasefire agreement
Source: CNA
