Brussels: The European Union will be represented at the upcoming informal meeting on Cyprus, set to take place in Geneva next week, according to European Commission spokesperson Maciej Berestecki. During a midday briefing in Brussels, Berestecki responded to a question from the Cyprus News Agency, confirming the EU’s participation, though details regarding the level of representation remain unspecified.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Berestecki, who serves as the European Commission’s spokesperson on cohesion and reforms, expressed approval of the broader format of the summit. However, when pressed for details on whether a Commissioner would be present, he stated, “I don’t have any other information that I can share at this stage on this specific matter.” The Commission’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, added that the name of the representative has yet to be confirmed.
In response to inquiries about the EU’s expectations from the meeting and any potential messages for the involved parties, Berestecki reiterated the Commission’s support for the meeting’s organization and the ongoing UN-led process. However, he refrained from commenting on specific expectations, noting that it was too early to provide such details.
Cyprus has been a divided island since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern region. Attempts at UN-led peace talks have repeatedly failed, largely due to Turkish resistance. The last significant discussions took place in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana but ended without resolution. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an expanded meeting in Geneva on March 17 and 18. This meeting aims to foster dialogue between the Cyprus President and the Turkish Cypriot leader, building on their previous informal discussions in New York on October 15, 2024. Representatives from Greece, Turkey, and the UK are also expected to participate.