Nicosia: The High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly represents the year's foremost diplomatic moment, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Sunday, adding that the meeting that the President of Cyprus will hold with the UNSG on September 24th, is a pivotal one.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the Spokesman, speaking to journalists in New York, highlighted the significance of the meetings President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides will hold during his stay for the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that 'the UN High-Level Week is the most important diplomatic moment of the year. We are, of course, here with the Cyprus issue at the centre of our efforts and with a focus on the initiatives undertaken by the President of the Republic to resume substantive negotiations'.

This year, the session is being held under the theme of restoring trust and promoting multilateralism, principles that the Republic of Cyprus has been defending and advancing for the past 52 years. The Spokesman noted that September 20 marks the anniversary of Cyprus joining the United Nations as an official member in 1960, a historic moment for the nation.

The Spokesman conveyed that the meeting between President Christodoulides and the UN Secretary-General is pivotal, alongside numerous bilateral meetings with heads of state, institutional partners, and leading global energy companies. The President will meet with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Mar­a ngela Holgu­n, prior to his meeting with the Secretary-General.

Letymbiotis expressed that the Government's objective remains unchanged, focusing on contributing to the convening of an expanded meeting as set by the UN Secretary-General. Such a meeting could catalyze the resumption of meaningful negotiations from where they were previously interrupted.

He also mentioned the importance of President Christodoulides' address to the UN General Assembly, where he will convey messages about Cyprus' aspirations to become a normal, modern European state without outdated guarantees and occupying troops, emphasizing its strategic importance in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Regarding possible trilateral meetings with the UN Secretary-General or Holgu­n, the Spokesman indicated no current prospects but remained open to such possibilities if the Secretary-General's schedule permits. There is consideration to extend the stay in New York to facilitate such meetings.

Holgu­n is scheduled to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader the day after her meeting with President Christodoulides. The Spokesman underscored the significance of the forthcoming meeting with the UN Secretary-General, which will involve assessing past steps and planning future actions.

In response to questions about a document recording the convergences, Letymbiotis stated that they await updates from Holgu­n. The United Nations has begun this process, and it will be part of the discussion between the President and Holgu­n.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 due to Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Previous UN-led peace talks have failed, with the last round in 2017 at Crans-Montana ending inconclusively. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced plans for another broader meeting, securing consensus from both sides and guarantor powers, with no specific timeline provided. Mar­a Angela Holgu­n is tasked with engaging the parties, and Raffaele Fitto serves as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus.