Nicosia, Cyprus. The United Nations has recorded “limited but meaningful” progress in recent months on the Cyprus issue, UN Secretary-General’s special representative in Cyprus Khassim Diagne said on Tuesday. He spoke at an EU policy forum marking 20 years of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.
UN engagement and recent dialogue
Diagne said the United Nations remains committed to facilitating a Cyprus-led and Cyprus-owned negotiation process aimed at a comprehensive settlement. He said that since October 2025 there has been increased willingness and commitment from both leaders to engage in dialogue, agree on confidence building measures and cooperate on issues beyond the dividing line.
Agreements from the leaders’ latest meeting
Diagne described as particularly encouraging the outcome of the leaders’ most recent meeting, during which they agreed on a framework for a civil society consultative body, plans to improve and safeguard the holding of religious services across the island, coordinated action on foot and mouth disease, and discussions on economic matters such as protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) products. He said incremental steps matter and that sustained engagement is required for a meaningful political process.
Role of the UN chief, envoy and Unficyp
Diagne said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin remain fully committed to building on recent positive developments, with a view to enabling substantive political discussions in the coming months. He added that the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) will continue to work closely with the envoy and both sides to maintain calm and stability in and around the buffer zone and to minimise incidents that could distract from the broader political process.
Europe Day and EU aid programme anniversary
Marking Europe Day, Diagne said peace, reconciliation, solidarity and cooperation are values of particular importance in Cyprus, where the European project is closely linked to efforts for a comprehensive and lasting settlement. He also highlighted the 20th anniversary of the EU aid programme, saying it has contributed to improving living conditions, strengthening civil society, preserving cultural heritage and supporting bicommunal cooperation across the island.
Greek Cypriot negotiator’s comments
Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou described the negotiations process as “a slow, spiral path towards a consensual model”, stressing the importance of both past and ongoing progress.
What steps do you think would help sustain engagement and expand confidence-building measures on the island?