Cyprus leaders agree to open two new border crossings and prepare for trilateral UN talks

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman met on November 9, 2026, to discuss confidence-building measures and the future of the Cyprus issue. Under the auspices of UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin, the two leaders agreed to simultaneously open two new crossing points: one connecting Kampos with Karavostasi and another linking Louroujina with Lympia. President Christodoulides stated that these openings will proceed once necessary preparatory work is completed.

Beyond the crossings, the leaders agreed to revive the "Imagine" educational program and establish an emergency response mechanism. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, was described by Christodoulides as a positive step toward resuming substantive negotiations. The participants confirmed their commitment to holding a new trilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the coming weeks, aiming to pave the way for an expanded conference before the end of the Secretary-General's term.

While political parties like DISY and AKEL welcomed the development as a positive signal for communal relations, some opposition figures and party leaders noted that the announcements fell short of broader expectations. Additionally, the discussions occur amidst ongoing tensions regarding Turkey’s stance on a two-state solution, which has drawn condemnation from various Cypriot political factions.