Larnaca: The Greek Cypriot side aims to reach a point where the resumption of a political process for a Cyprus settlement will be possible, Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou said on Saturday. He was addressing an event organized by the Committee of Turkish-Occupied Communities and the Associations of displaced residents of Famagusta, Nicosia, and Kyrenia communities, held in Choirokoitia, Larnaca district.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Menelaou informed those present about the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, the current situation, and the developments expected in the near future. He referred to the steps that have been taken, as well as the discussions and preparations underway, following the expanded meeting in Geneva last March, and ahead of the upcoming informal meeting next month.
The Greek Cypriot negotiator stated that the effort of the Greek Cypriot side is to be able to reach a point where it will be possible to resume a political process and through this to revive the prospects of reaching an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem. He noted that the steps taken in recent times are in the right direction and added that they will continue.
“Our goal,” he said, “is to have the next stepping stones in place, in order for this aspiration of ours to become more tangible, more visible.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended inconclusively.
UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres 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 agreed to proceed with a number of initiatives, involving the opening of crossing points, the creation of a Technical Committee on Youth, and other initiatives in the buffer zone and throughout the island.
The UN Secretary-General announced in early May the appointment of Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, who is tasked to reengage with the parties in order to work on next steps on the Cyprus issue and advise him. Holgun completed a previous assignment as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.
The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process in close cooperation with Holgun.