UN Secretary-General calls for 5+1 meeting to address Cyprus conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Cyprus last week to evaluate the prospects for restarting peace negotiations. During his visit, Guterres proposed convening a 5+1 meeting, involving the two Cypriot leaders, the three guarantor powers, and the United Nations, to address confidence-building measures, methodology, and core substantive issues.

Preparations for this potential summit are currently being overseen by the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin. She is tasked with assessing whether sufficient progress has been made to justify fixing a date for a formal peace conference. Guterres emphasized that while the UN cannot impose a solution, the current status quo on the island is becoming increasingly unsustainable due to regional instability.

Political reception of the visit has been divided. In government-controlled areas, officials expressed relief that the UN remains committed to existing Security Council resolutions, refuting earlier rumors of unconventional settlement proposals such as a hybrid federal-confederal model. The Greek Cypriot leadership views these latest developments as consistent with their diplomatic stance, while the ongoing diplomatic efforts continue under Holguin’s guidance to determine the next steps.