Nicosia: Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, has announced that the election of Tufan Erhrman as the new leader of the Turkish Cypriots brings renewed hope and expectations for the reunification of Cyprus. Gerapetritis emphasized that this development aligns with the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Gerapetritis underscored that reunification would ensure peace and prosperity for both Greek and Turkish Cypriots within the European framework. He revealed that the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Republic of Cyprus, has been diligently working to reignite discussions on the Cyprus Issue at the UN Secretary-General’s level after a significant period of inaction.
Gerapetritis expressed anticipation for collaborative efforts in the forthcoming informal meeting, which is expected to include a broader format. He highlighted that divisions are incompatible with the current international climate and emphasized the importance of Cyprus sending a universal message of synthesis and unity.
The division of Cyprus dates back to 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of the island’s northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution has remained elusive. The last round of negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, concluded without agreement.