Cyprus leaders agree to open two new crossings following UN-led talks

On November 9, 2026, the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus met in Nicosia for over three hours in the presence of Maria Angela Holguin, the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General. The meeting aimed to break the diplomatic impasse, with participants agreeing to open two new checkpoints: Louroujina-Lympia and Kampos-Karavostasi. While expectations were higher for four crossings, technical and political disagreements limited the agreement to these two locations, which are expected to open simultaneously once preparations are complete.

Beyond the crossings, the parties agreed on a series of confidence-building measures, including the resumption of the 'Imagine' peace education program, the exchange of archival materials through the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, and various environmental projects. The outcome was described as a necessary step to maintain momentum in the peace process.

Following the meeting, it was confirmed that a tripartite session will be held in the coming weeks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss methodology and the substantive aspects of the Cyprus issue. This meeting is viewed as a potential precursor to a broader 5+1 conference aimed at resuming formal negotiations before the end of the year.