Informal Cyprus Conference concludes: 4 border crossings and new CBM's are on the way!

The informal 5+1 Cyprus meeting, hosted by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, concluded yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland.

In a brief statement to the press after the meeting, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that an agreement had been reached to meet again at the end of July and that dialogue would continue.

Guterres stated that constructive discussions had been held, with both sides demonstrating a commitment to progress.

He highlighted that a new atmosphere had been created, and also emphasized that Cyprus Greek leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar had agreed on initiatives.

Guterres explained that Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) would be implemented on several fronts, including the opening of four new crossing points, the clearing of mined areas, the establishment of a technical committee for youth, the development of joint policies on environment and climate change, and the restoration of cemeteries.

He also noted that, pending mutual agreement, a personal representative could be appointed in the upcoming meetings in late July.

Guterres emphasized that no progress had been made since the Crans-Montana talks in 2017, but stated that meaningful progress had been achieved in this meeting. He pointed out that new confidence-building measures would ensure greater security and that stronger steps would be planned with the support of a personal representative in the July meeting.

Guterres announced that the leaders had agreed on the following points:

1- Holding another meeting in the same format at the end of July,

2- Clearing mined areas,

3- Restoring cemeteries,

4- Establishing a solar energy park in the buffer zone,

5- Opening four new crossing points,

6- Creating a technical committee for youth,

7- Establishing a climate change committee.

Guterres emphasized that the agreement on these issues represented an important step toward building lasting peace and security in Cyprus.