UN Secretary-General Guterres urges progress on Cyprus peace process

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released his latest good offices report regarding the Cyprus problem. He highlighted a positive trend in the intensification of dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, interpreting this as a commitment to building mutual trust. Guterres emphasized that current windows of opportunity must be capitalized upon, warning that they should not be taken for granted. He specifically praised the agreement to establish an advisory body for civil society, describing it as an important step toward a more inclusive peace process. However, the Secretary-General expressed concern over the lack of progress regarding agreed confidence-building measures. He also addressed reported violations within the buffer zone, maintaining an equidistant stance toward the parties involved. Ultimately, Guterres warned that without the implementation of existing initiatives and the resumption of substantive negotiations, a lasting solution remains unattainable. He stressed the necessity for both sides to display the required political will and flexibility to move forward.