Nicosia: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, reaffirmed on Sunday the government’s commitment to achieve the reunification of Cyprus, striving by every possible means to pave the way for a just and lasting solution based on the agreed framework, the UN Security Council resolutions, and the EU principles and values.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides spoke at the annual nationwide memorial service for the leaders and heroes of the EOKA liberation struggle of 1955-59, emphasizing that recent diplomatic developments reflect progress and validate the government’s strategy. “The recent appointments of envoys on the Cyprus problem-by both the United Nations and, for the first time, the European Commission-confirm that we are moving in the right direction,” the President stated.
Christodoulides highlighted that any prospective settlement must adhere to the UN Security Council resolutions and the principles and values of the European Union. He stressed the importance of reunification, peace, and the full liberation of the island. He noted, “Just by comparing today’s landscape with where we were a few years ago, it’s clear that progress has been made-though this does not mean we are complacent, nor do we romanticize the situation.”
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.
The UN Secretary General announced that an informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format will be held at the end of July, following a similar meeting in Geneva in March. The two sides agreed to proceed with initiatives involving the opening of crossing points, the creation of a Technical Committee on Youth, and other initiatives in the buffer zone and throughout the island.
UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres announced in early May the appointment of Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, tasked with reengaging the parties to work on the next steps on the Cyprus issue and advise him. Holgun completed a previous assignment as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.
The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process, in close cooperation with Holgun.