Fidan’s Statements on Cyprus Criticized by Athens for Hindering Progress

Athens: Athens has said that statements which Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made on Saturday during the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul concerning the Cyprus issue do not contribute to efforts for progress and for building confidence.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the Greek Foreign Ministry issued a press release on Saturday, emphasizing that the framework of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on the Cyprus issue is binding. The Turkish Foreign Minister had claimed earlier that there are “two states and two peoples” in Cyprus, urging the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to recognize and strengthen the presence of Turkish Cypriots.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. The ongoing attempts at UN-led peace negotiations have so far not produced results, largely due to persistent Turkish intransigence. The most recent round of negotiations, held in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended without conclusion.

The UN Secretary-General announced that an informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format will be held at the end of July, following a similar meeting in Geneva on March 17-18. The two sides have agreed to proceed with several initiatives, including the opening of crossing points, the creation of a Technical Committee on Youth, and other initiatives in the buffer zone and throughout the island.

UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres announced in early May the appointment of Mar­a Angela Holgu­n Cu©llar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. She is tasked with reengaging with the parties to work on the next steps regarding the Cyprus issue and advising him. Holgu­n completed a previous assignment as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.

The European Commission also designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process, working in close cooperation with Holgu­n.