UN Secretary-General announces plan for new 5+1 conference on Cyprus issue

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced his intention to convene a new informal 5+1 conference on the Cyprus issue. Following his recent visit to the island and discussions with stakeholders, Guterres emphasized that the meeting will only take place after sufficient preparation regarding methodology, substance, and confidence-building measures. He acknowledged that previous attempts failed due to inadequate preparation, stressing the need for a productive outcome that leads to the resumption of substantive negotiations.

The Republic of Cyprus, led by President Nikos Christodoulides, has welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness for the process, while clarifying that confidence-building measures—such as the potential opening of additional crossing points at Pyroi and Myla—are not formal preconditions for the conference. Simultaneously, the European Union has appointed Raffaele Fitto as a special envoy to support the UN-led process. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos confirmed that Nicosia is coordinating closely with the EU to leverage European-Turkish relations as a catalyst for progress.

Conversely, Turkey remains committed to its long-standing position. The Turkish Ministry of Defense, via spokesperson Admiral Zeki Akturk, stated that a permanent solution is only possible through a two-state model based on sovereign equality, rejecting the traditional negotiation frameworks. The diplomatic timeline remains fluid, as stakeholders continue consultations to determine when the preparatory work will be complete and a date for the conference can be set.