UN Make Fresh Bid to Bridge Cyprus Divide

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends in 2026, has launched a new initiative to revive peace talks on the future of divided Cyprus, which have been stalled since 2017.

During his first visit to the island as UN chief, Guterres met separately on Tuesday with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. The three leaders are also scheduled to meet in the UN buffer zone.

The Greek Cypriot side is seeking a return to negotiations based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, while the Turkish Cypriot leadership is demanding explicit guarantees of political equality before agreeing to resume formal talks. The United Nations hopes to bridge these differences and restart the peace process.

The Cyprus dispute has remained unresolved since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island following a Greek-backed coup, leaving Cyprus divided between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-controlled north. The conflict continues to strain relations between NATO allies Greece and Turkey and complicates Ankara's relationship with the European Union. Guterres said he remains committed to helping both sides reach a mutually acceptable settlement.

(Reuters, Max)