Guterres calls for new talks to end division of Cyprus
The General-Secretary of UN calls for new efforts to unite the divided island.
Written bu journalist Danylo Aleksandrov
The Secretary General of United Nations António Guterres during his visit to the island of Cyprus called for new negotiations the goal of which would be to end the more than 50 year old division between Greek and Turkish half.
Guterres after a joint meeting with leaders of Turkish and Greek parts of Cyprus held in Nicosia invited the leadership of both halves of the island to participate in new talks regarding the end of division of Cyprus. He announced that the negotiations he will convene will be held in 5+1 format. Aside from UN and representatives of Cyprus’ Greek and Turkish leadership, UK, Greece and Türkiye will also participate, as these countries are guarantors of Cyprus independence per the 1960 treaty.
Secretary General did not announce a precise date for the talks, as in his opinion it is dependent on “adequate preparation” and confidence building between the sides. Still, the UN will cooperate with Cypriots and guarantor countries alike to bring the negotiations closer. He insisted that if UN’s efforts will be successful and the meetings will be held, he does not want them to end without meaningful results.
Guterres added that the question of the island will not be raised in the UN General Assembly during the High-level week in September. He is the first UN Secretary General to visit Cyprus since 2010. At the end of 2026 his tenure at this position will end. He stated that while UN does not hold the power to impose peace and unity upon the countries, it remains committed in providing the support to locals in this critical moment.
Since 1974 the island of Cyprus is divided between Turkish north and Greek south, separated by a UN buffer zone. UK, one of the guarantors of Cyprus’ independence, still holds control over 2 sovereign Base Areas at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. As the island remains divided along linguistic, cultural and historical lines, the challenge of island’s reunification remains complex to solve.
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