UN Secretary-General visits Cyprus to assess path for peace negotiations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Cyprus in early August 2026 to evaluate the prospect of resuming formal negotiations. Following his visit, it was determined that while there is some diplomatic mobility, the conditions for a new 5+1 meeting have not yet been met. Guterres stressed that a future meeting must be successful and based on thorough preparation concerning confidence-building measures (CBMs), methodology, and core issues, rather than being another ineffective gathering.

The two sides remain divided on their approach. The Greek Cypriot side advocates for resuming talks from where they were interrupted at the 2017 Crans-Montana conference, emphasizing the importance of established convergences and the Guterres framework. Conversely, the Turkish Cypriot side, represented by Tufan Erhurman, prioritizes specific methodology, timelines, and the resolution of CBMs before engaging in full-scale negotiations. Reports indicate tensions arose during discussions regarding the documentation of past agreements, with disagreements persisting over proposed checkpoint openings.

Currently, the UN is working on a document of convergences to preserve the negotiation acquis. Personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin is expected to return to the island in the coming weeks to continue intensive diplomatic efforts. Despite the ongoing process, no date for a new formal conference has been set.