Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said a meeting planned for March with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is of particular importance for efforts to resume talks on the Cyprus problem. He said the exact date will be announced once clarified.
Planned meeting with UN chief
Christodoulides said he had sent a letter to Guterres “a long time ago” and that the meeting has been arranged through diplomatic channels for March. He said the meeting is intended to help move toward the resumption of talks and discussion of substance through dialogue, aiming not only to restart negotiations but also to find a solution on the basis of the agreed framework.
Letter addressing timing of negotiations
In a letter sent to Guterres last week, Christodoulides said the country’s EU Council presidency and upcoming parliamentary elections “in no way affect” the immediate resumption of substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem. He was responding to suggestions made in an op-ed by UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin.
Five-point proposal to restart talks
In the letter, Christodoulides said he is ready to meet Guterres in March to advance the peace process and outlined a five-point proposal to restart talks. The proposal includes submitting convergences from previous negotiations, convening the next informal expanded meeting, resuming negotiations, and opening four crossing points.
What do you think is the most important step to support the resumption of substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem?