New york: At the upcoming meeting in New York, pivotal decisions regarding the future pathway of the Cyprus talks are set to be addressed, with a focus on evaluating the progress made since the previous gathering in Geneva and outlining the subsequent steps for moving forward.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Maria Angela Holguin, has conducted three meetings with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators, Menelaos Menelaou and Gunes Onar. These discussions primarily revolved around implementing issues decided upon in Geneva, particularly concerning cemeteries, environmental matters, and the technical youth committee.
The meetings also addressed remaining issues such as crossing points, demining, and the solar park, although these matters have yet to reach a point of finalisation. The sources highlighted the significance of the New York meeting, noting that it was decided in Geneva to hold this meeting by the end of July, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the schedule to send the right message.
Besides assessing progress on the three key issues, the meeting will also consider the reappointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and the appointment of the EU Special Envoy. These developments underscore the necessity of evaluating the current status and shaping the direction for future actions.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 due to Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Although various rounds of UN-led peace talks have been conducted, they have not resulted in a resolution, largely attributed to Turkish intransigence. The last negotiation round, which took place in July 2017 at Crans-Montana in Switzerland, concluded without success.
UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres announced an informal meeting on Cyprus, set for July 16 and 17 at the UN headquarters in New York. This follows a similar meeting in Geneva earlier this year. Both sides have agreed to proceed with initiatives including the opening of crossing points and the creation of a Technical Committee on Youth.
In early May, Guterres appointed Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus to reengage with the involved parties. The European Commission has also appointed Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus to assist in the settlement process, collaborating closely with Holgun.