Greek Foreign Minister Emphasizes Dialogue as Key to Resolving Cyprus Issue

Athens: Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, has underscored the importance of dialogue in making progress on the Cyprus issue. In a recent interview with mononews.gr, Gerapetritis highlighted the appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy as indicative of the priority given to this matter by the international community.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Gerapetritis elaborated on the significance of his discussions with Mar­a Angela Holgu­n Cu©llar, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus. He stated that the appointment of Holgu­n Cu©llar signifies the need for dialogue, emphasizing that this is the only viable path forward. The meeting with Holgu­n Cu©llar, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, was described as productive by the Greek Foreign Minister.

Gerapetritis noted the positive developments over the past two years, which have been facilitated by improved relations between Greece and Turkey. He stressed the necessity of maintaining this momentum, aligning with the intentions of UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres. The Greek Foreign Minister also reflected on the outcomes of the informal expanded meeting in March, which he credited as yielding tangible results after years of stagnation, largely due to the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of implementing agreements to foster trust and prepare for future informal meetings. He reiterated Greece’s commitment to playing a constructive role in upcoming discussions, similar to its participation in previous meetings in Geneva.

The Cyprus issue remains contentious, with the island divided since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous rounds of UN-led peace talks, a resolution has yet to be achieved. The latest negotiations, held in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without an agreement.

In May, UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres appointed Mar­a Angela Holgu­n Cu©llar as Personal Envoy on Cyprus. Her role involves reengaging with the involved parties and advising on the next steps. Additionally, the European Commission appointed Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus, working closely with Holgu­n to facilitate the settlement process.