Guterres Announces Four New Crossing Points, New Meeting in July

In addition to the new crossing points, Guterres confirmed that another enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem in the same format, thus with the involvement of the UN, Cyprus’ two sides, and its three guarantor powers Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, will take place in July.

In advance of that meeting, he said, he will also appoint a new envoy to Cyprus in due course.

Asked whether that new envoy would be Maria Angela Holguin, who served as his personal envoy to the island last year, he said the name of his new envoy “has not yet been chosen”.

“Before this meeting, I did not even know if I would be able to appoint an envoy,” he added.

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar meanwhile told reporters that “Holguin’s name is being considered”.

Additionally, Guterres announced new demining efforts, the creation of a new bicommunal technical committee on youth, “initiatives on the environment and the impact of climate change”, solar farms in the buffer zone, and the restoration of cemeteries.

Guterres said there was “meaningful progress” achieved in Geneva, and that the talks had been conducted in a “new atmosphere” with a “sense of urgency” demonstrated by all sides.

President Nikos Christodoulides said he wished to “express satisfaction” with the result of the meeting, describing it as “a first important, positive step towards the resumption of talks”.

“This is the big goal, we are not there yet, but, as [Guterres] himself said, it has been an important step,” he said.

He highlighted the planned appointment of a new UN envoy and the scheduling of a new enlarged meeting for July, as well as the joint letter sent to Guterres by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

“I believe this defines, without allowing for any different interpretation, doubt, or different approach, the EU’s position in relation to the resolution of the Cyprus problem – something which naturally also touches on the EU’s relations with Turkey and the wishes of Ankara,” he said.

He added that the “great effort is of course not complete today” and that Tuesday only constitutes the start, saying his government “has a plan for how we will continue this course”.

Earlier, Tatar had given a brief press conference, stressing the importance of “resolving the problems experienced in relations between the two communities and establishing a culture of cooperation”.

“Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots deserve much better. We must find a sustainable solution for both our children and future generations,” he said.