President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday that developments in the Cyprus issue could lead to a concrete settlement plan before the end of 2026, revealing that a new United Nations initiative is already underway.
In an interview with AlphaTVChristodoulides described an intensified diplomatic effort taking place behind closed doors and said the coming months could prove decisive for negotiations.
“I see developments because the secretary general has launched a new initiative,” he said.
“It may lead us to something very specific and we will be called upon to make decisions.”
The president noted that the process could eventually result in a settlement framework before the end of Guterres’ term later this year.
“We may be close to developments that will lead to a solution plan,” he said.
Christodoulides directly linked the latest move to the recent meeting between Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, suggesting the talks marked a turning point in efforts to revive negotiations after years of deadlock.
“No one can doubt that the key lies with Turkey,” he said, adding that the UN initiative began after the secretary-general’s talks with the Turkish president.
While avoiding any direct assessment of Ankara’s position, he said diplomatic contacts were continuing free from public scrutiny.
“I have not met Mr Erdogan, but I can confirm that meetings are underway away from the spotlight based on this initiative by the UN Secretary-General,” he said.
Christodoulides said the next expanded informal conference on Cyprus is expected during the summer and called it potentially decisive for the future of the process.
“The goal of the UN Secretary-General is to see progress on the Cyprus issue before the end of his mandate and I fully share and support this goal,” he said.
He stressed that he remained committed to a bizonal, bicommunal federation and rejected any prospect of a two-state arrangement.
“We will do everything possible to achieve a positive outcome on the basis of the bizonal and bicommunal federation,” he said, adding that the UN mandate on the Cyprus issue remains clear.
The president also said the guarantor powers were involved in this effort and highlighted Europe’s growing role in the diplomatic process.
“The European Union has an important role to play and has expressed interest,” he said.
Christodoulides further confirmed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was considering candidates for a possible EU envoy post to Cyprus and said announcements were expected soon.
He added that UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin is expected to return to Cyprus in early June as preparations intensify for the next stage of talks.
