Guterres Hosts Informal Talks in Geneva to Address Cyprus Dispute
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene an informal meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, bringing together Cypriot leaders and guarantor powers Greece, Türkiye, and the UK to discuss the longstanding Cyprus issue. The meeting at the UN Office in Geneva follows a dinner hosted by Guterres for the heads of delegations, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, and UK Minister of State Stephen Doughty.
The discussions aim to explore potential pathways toward resolving the island’s division, though no formal press conference is expected from Guterres.
The Cyprus dispute remains unresolved despite repeated UN-led diplomatic efforts. Ethnic tensions in the 1960s escalated into conflict, culminating in Türkiye’s 1974 military intervention following a Greek Cypriot coup. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared in 1983, yet remains unrecognized internationally. Efforts for reconciliation have often faltered, including the 2017 Crans-Montana talks and a 2021 Geneva meeting, where Guterres acknowledged the lack of common ground between the two sides. Greek Cypriots continue advocating for a bi-zonal federation, while Turkish Cypriots insist on recognition as a sovereign state.
With decades of failed negotiations, the latest Geneva meeting offers another attempt at bridging these deep-rooted differences. TRNC President Ersin Tatar has reiterated that peace can only be achieved through cooperation between two states, while Greek Cypriots emphasize a federated solution. The international community will be watching closely, though past experiences suggest that significant breakthroughs remain elusive.
