Diplomatic preparations for Cyprus talks and leaders' upcoming meeting

Following the recent visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Cyprus, diplomatic efforts are intensifying to restart negotiations for a comprehensive settlement. Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou stated that the immediate next step is the convening of an expanded meeting, provided that existing convergences are preserved and reaffirmed within the federal framework. The Greek Cypriot side emphasizes the necessity of maintaining the progress achieved up to the Crans-Montana conference rather than restarting from a zero base.

Simultaneously, preparations are underway for a meeting on August 26 between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. The primary focus of this encounter will be to gauge the Turkish Cypriot side's intent regarding confidence-building measures, particularly the opening of new crossing points. This issue, which was previously discussed in the presence of Guterres, involves a specific UN proposal that the Greek Cypriot side has already accepted. To facilitate progress, the United Nations is currently compiling a formal record of all existing convergences, which will be distributed to the two Cypriot sides and the three guarantor powers within the coming weeks. Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis reiterated that for the process to succeed, Turkey must align itself with the UN framework and engage in meaningful negotiations.