Diplomatic efforts to restart Cyprus peace negotiations

President Nikos Christodoulides convened the newly composed National Council on June 22, 2026, to discuss the ongoing diplomatic momentum surrounding the Cyprus issue. Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed that the goal of the UN-led initiative is to convene an informal expanded conference, likely in late July, which would serve as a catalyst for restarting formal negotiations within the agreed UN framework. UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin is currently in New York to coordinate next steps with Antonio Guterres before traveling to Brussels for meetings with Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. The Greek Cypriot side maintains that any solution must ensure a single sovereignty and citizenship, while rejecting attempts to alter the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Political leaders emphasized the need for national unity and welcomed the EU's potential role as leverage in the process. While opposition figures like AKEL's Stefanos Stefanou advocate for resuming talks from the 2017 Crans-Montana status, ELAM maintains its opposition to a federal solution. The government clarified that the recent resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will have no impact on the mediation efforts. Further consultations are expected in early July following Holguin's return to the island.