Nicosia: A very important initiative is currently underway to restart negotiations on the Cyprus issue, Deputy Government Spokesperson, Yiannis Antoniou said, during his address on behalf of the President of the Republic at the Third International Conference of the Alexis Tsipras Institute in Nicosia on Wednesday, entitled "For Peace and Social Justice."
According to Cyprus News Agency, Antoniou explained that this is "an initiative that we support and invest in, because we know that with time the faits accomplis of the occupation, with which we will never compromise, are being consolidated." He also welcomed the guests at the Conference and congratulated the organizers for their initiative, noting that the Cyprus issue has a key presence in the work of the Conference.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson reiterated that President Nikos Christodoulides is leading the effort to create the conditions for the resumption of direct negotiations for a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed United Nations framework, the negotiating acquis, and the principles, values, and law of the EU.
Regarding the ongoing initiative, Antoniou noted that it was launched after the government's efforts and with the international community's recognition of the government's political will. He emphasized that the initiative "is not unrelated to our multi-level foreign policy that upgrades the Republic of Cyprus and makes it a reliable international partner."
Antoniou highlighted the importance of support from Greece and EU partners and expressed satisfaction that "after our own arduous efforts, the heads of the European Commission and the European Council jointly addressed the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a historic letter, reaffirming the European Union's interest in the Cyprus issue and referring to the substance of the problem."
He added that "the joint letter, together with the Conclusions of the European Council of April 2024, which clearly link Euro-Turkish issues with progress on the Cyprus issue, strengthen our diplomatic and political quiver and make it clear in every direction that the Cyprus issue is also a European problem."
Antoniou acknowledged the challenges, stating, "The circumstances are difficult, the challenges are many, but as you know very well, things in the Cyprus issue have never been easy." He emphasized the importance of each step in strengthening the effort to achieve the goal of ending the occupation and reunifying Cyprus.
He also referred to the geostrategic location of Cyprus, noting the country's potential role in the region due to its European status, excellent diplomatic relations, and synergies with various European and third countries. Antoniou stated, "With the advantage of its European status, its excellent diplomatic relations with all neighbouring states and, of course, the synergies it has developed with various European and third countries, it always seeks to be part of the solution and never part of the problem."
Antoniou concluded by emphasizing Cyprus's role as a "bridge of peace, understanding and cooperation in the region" and highlighting the work and results of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
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. In 2025, the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. An informal meeting in a broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025 is yet to be announced. Mara Angela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.