New York:President Nikos Christodoulides expressed sincere appreciation for the UN Secretary-General's efforts towards the reunification of Cyprus during a message he wrote in the United Nations Visitors Book at the UN Headquarters. This message was penned on the sidelines of his meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides acknowledged the Secretary-General's sustained efforts, noting that as Guterres approaches his final days in office, his work towards the reunification of Cyprus deserves commendation. He emphasized that realizing the progress made under Guterres' tenure through a comprehensive settlement, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, would be a significant part of his legacy.
The President also reiterated his commitment to actively engage in negotiations for the reunification of Cyprus. The island has remained divided since 1974 after Turkey's invasion and subsequent occupation of its northern part. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution has yet to be achieved, primarily due to Turkish resistance. The most recent negotiations, held in July 2017 at Crans-Montana in Switzerland, ended without agreement.
As Guterres' term nears its end, he has announced plans to convene another meeting with a broader format after adequate preparation, although no specific timeline was provided. Both sides and the guarantor powers have agreed to this approach. Mara Angela Holgun, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, will engage with the parties, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto has taken over as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus.