Antalya:The state of play in the Cyprus settlement talks, the upcoming visit of Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto to Trkiye, and Cyprus' Schengen accession process were discussed during a meeting between President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The meeting took place on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Trkiye.

According to Cyprus News Agency, a Commission spokesperson addressed the meeting, noting that the leaders reviewed the progress of the Cyprus settlement talks and considered future steps following recent discussions on the island. They also prepared for Executive Vice-President Fitto's visit to Trkiye, scheduled for 20 November, where he will meet with Trkiye's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan.

Additionally, the leaders discussed Cyprus' process of joining the Schengen Area. Earlier in the week, President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman agreed to open two new crossing points and arranged for another trilateral meeting, following discussions with UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin.

The leaders also agreed to resume the Imagine Project, focus on environmental initiatives, and establish a rapid response mechanism for emergencies. They consented to open the crossing points at Louroujina-Lympia and Kampos-Karavostasi and to share archival material through the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. Moreover, they planned the restoration of specific Maronite churches and an Armenian monastery. The Imagine Project will continue promoting peace education under the Technical Committee on Education, while environmental projects will proceed through the Technical Committee on Environment.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Numerous UN-led peace talks have yet to produce a resolution, with the last round of negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ending without conclusion.