United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced a new expanded 5+1 talks meeting following his discussions in Cyprus with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
Speaking after his meetings, Guterres said he had decided to convene a new 5+1 format meeting after appropriate preparations on three key areas: confidence-building measures, methodology and substance.
He added that existing convergences would be taken into account, while the United Nations would consult with both sides and the guarantor powers to create the conditions for a successful meeting.
Guterres: Cypriots want progress
The UN chief said that during his first visit to Cyprus he had the opportunity to hear from citizens of both communities and that the message he received was clear.
“They want progress,” he said, adding that Cypriots want to see their leaders make compromises and move towards “the last mile” of a Cyprus settlement.
Guterres said people want a future where the island is not defined by division, but by cooperation, opportunities and peace.
He described his discussions with both leaders, separately and together, as sincere and constructive, saying Christodoulides and Erhürman had assured him of their determination to continue working substantively with his personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguín.
Call for stronger confidence-building measures
Guterres stressed that now is the time to make every possible effort to rebuild trust between the two sides.
He said efforts must intensify to define and implement confidence-building measures that can have a practical impact on the daily lives of all Cypriots.
The UN Secretary-General called on both leaders to strengthen their efforts in this area, highlighting the role of his personal envoy in facilitating contacts between the two sides.
UNFICYP role and support from guarantor powers
Guterres also referred to the situation on the ground, stressing the need to respect the mandate and authority of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus, both within the buffer zone and along UN-designated ceasefire lines.
He recalled that UNFICYP has helped maintain calm and stability in a sensitive environment for more than six decades, noting that its effectiveness depends on cooperation from all sides.
The UN chief also praised the work of the Committee on Missing Persons and the bicommunal efforts to provide answers to families of missing persons.
He highlighted the contribution of bicommunal Technical Committees, saying they help bridge the gap between the political process and citizens’ everyday lives by providing practical solutions.
UN cannot impose peace, says Guterres
Guterres stressed that the international community also has an important role to play in the Cyprus issue, noting that he expects continued support from the three guarantor powers: Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Concluding his remarks, the UN Secretary-General said the United Nations cannot impose peace.
“The United Nations remains fully committed to supporting the people of Cyprus at this critical moment for the island and the wider region,” he said.
Also read: Small breakthrough at dinner as Guterres prepares announcement
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
