Cypriot Leaders Agree To Renew Informal Talks on Reunification
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met in New York on Tuesday for informal discussions, facilitated by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, to address the long-standing division of Cyprus. The leaders, Nikos Christodoulides of the Greek Cypriot side and Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Cypriot side, agreed to continue talks soon to explore the “way forward” on stalled reunification efforts.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island in response to a brief Greek-backed coup. Tensions had been simmering for years due to intermittent violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Reunification talks last collapsed in 2017 and have been in deadlock since.
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During a dinner meeting, Guterres urged the two leaders to find common ground and rebuild trust. He encouraged them to look at ways to overcome differences and seek a settlement. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated, “The leaders 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.”
Both leaders also expressed openness to meeting in Cyprus to consider opening additional crossing points along the divided island. Last month, Christodoulides told the UN General Assembly that he was prepared to restart reunification negotiations immediately.
While Greek Cypriots seek a reunification deal that would create a federation, Turkish Cypriots, supported by Turkey, are pushing for a two-state solution that acknowledges their sovereignty.
