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New Opportunity for Cyprus Talks, Says UN Secretary-General in Report

Published January 6, 2026, 08:23
New Opportunity for Cyprus Talks, Says UN Secretary-General in Report

In his report on the UN Secretary-General's Good Offices mission in Cyprus, Antonio Guterres states that there is a “new moment of opportunity” to advance the Cyprus issue. This stems from the informal meetings in an expanded format and the contacts between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the new Turkish Cypriot leader. Guterres welcomes the commitment of both leaders and the guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom) to maintain their involvement, despite this being the longest period without active negotiations. He highlights that the meeting of the two leaders on December 11, where key political issues were discussed, was significant. Both leaders agreed that their goal is to achieve a solution with political equality, as described in the resolutions of the Security Council. The Secretary-General calls on both sides to demonstrate “stronger determination” regarding confidence-building initiatives, such as opening new crossing points. He also expresses concern about unilateral actions “within and around the buffer zone” and reaffirms his unchanged position on Varosha, calling for the restoration of trust and the avoidance of actions that undermine the peace process.