Christodoulides urges UN to convene expanded Cyprus conference

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides reiterated his readiness to participate in an expanded conference on the Cyprus problem, calling on the UN Secretary-General to convene a meeting to announce the resumption of negotiations from where they left off.

European Council President Antonio Costa said the European Union was ready to contribute positively to a Cyprus settlement, including by strengthening relations between the bloc and Turkey.

Talks in Nicosia

The two leaders spoke after talks at the presidential palace in Nicosia, held during Costa’s tour of EU capitals ahead of upcoming European Council meetings.

Christodoulides said their discussions covered the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework, Ukraine, enlargement, the Middle East, competitiveness and migration. They also addressed the Cyprus problem and the Republic’s effort to join the Schengen area.

Schengen accession

Christodoulides said he had raised Cyprus’ “desire and readiness” for full accession to the Schengen area.

He referred to a European Commission evaluation which, he said, confirmed Cyprus’ readiness and recommended that completion of the process be treated as a priority.

EU role in settlement efforts

On the Cyprus problem, Christodoulides said he had briefed Costa on developments following the recent visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and thanked him for his personal involvement.

“The Cyprus problem is a European problem and the EU can play the most decisive role in achieving a solution and the reunification of our country, based on the principles, values and laws of the EU,” he said.

Asked about Brussels’ possible role in restarting negotiations and whether Turkey could take a constructive approach, Christodoulides said the EU was uniquely positioned to assist.

He said the bloc had tools to create a “mutually beneficial” environment for a settlement, while the EU acquis could provide answers to issues on which the two sides continued to disagree.

Christodoulides cited the joint letter sent to the UN Secretary-General by Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2025, as well as the appointment of European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as the EU’s special envoy for Cyprus, as indications of the bloc’s willingness to become more actively involved.