Nicosia: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, currently visiting Cyprus, announced on Tuesday that his presence on the island is to show solidarity with the Cypriot people and to actively participate in efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the UNSG made these remarks following a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. Standing alongside Erhurman, Guterres emphasized his commitment to collaborating with both Cypriots and international guarantors to achieve a viable solution. He stated, "I come to express my solidarity with the people of Cyprus and my engagement to helping to find both with the Cypriots but also with the guarantors, a solution."
Additionally, Guterres indicated that his visit aims to assess the development of Confidence Building Measures, ensuring they serve the interests of both communities on the island. He concluded by noting the productivity of his discussions, saying, "two very constructive meetings with the leaders."
The meeting with Erhurman started at 11.50 am local time, with Guterres addressing the media at 13.45. Earlier, he met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following a Turkish invasion that led to the occupation of its northern region. Despite numerous UN-led negotiations, a lasting peace agreement has not been reached, largely due to Turkish resistance. The last significant talks in 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without success.
In 2025, informal meetings were held, and preparations are ongoing for a broader format meeting as Guterres' tenure as UN Secretary-General approaches its conclusion. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is actively engaging with stakeholders, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto serves as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, following the tenure of EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.