Nicosia:The United Nations, alongside Cypriot leaders, is finalizing preparations for a significant tripartite meeting scheduled for November 9. The meeting will include the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhrman, and the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Maria Angela Holguin.

According to Cyprus News Agency, preparations are focusing on key issues such as crossing points, environmental concerns, and the exchange of archives. These topics align with the pillars set out after the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Cyprus last July.

One primary focus of the upcoming meeting is the possibility of opening new crossing points between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas. Environmental issues are also on the agenda, along with the exchange of archival material, which includes documents and photographs significant to both communities. These archives, left on either side of the ceasefire line since 1974, could be digitized to allow both communities to retain copies while returning originals to their rightful owners.

The backdrop of the meeting is Cyprus's division, which has persisted since 1974 following the Turkish invasion and occupation of 37% of the island. Although numerous UN-led peace talks have occurred, they have not yet resolved the conflict. The last negotiations, held in Crans-Montana in 2017, ended without agreement. As UN Secretary-General Guterres' term nears its conclusion, he aims to convene another meeting with broader participation, pending adequate preparation. The commitment from both Cypriot sides and the guarantor powers has been secured for this purpose. Holguin, acting as Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is engaging with the involved parties, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto serves as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus.