Nicosia seeks EU involvement in Cyprus issue negotiations
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a European People’s Party summit on Thursday to discuss the EU’s role in resuming negotiations on the Cyprus issue, which have been stalled since 2017.
Christodoulides expects announcements from the EU by the end of 2024, after European Parliament hearings for commissioner candidates.
The EU previously participated in talks, including the 2017 Crans-Montana conference, where a solution was sought under the framework of a unified Cyprus.
However, recently the Turkish Cypriot leadership, backed by Ankara, favors a two-state solution, complicating future negotiations.
Christodoulides emphasized the importance of continued UN involvement, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pushing for informal talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, alongside the three guarantor nations: Greece, Turkey and the UK.
While Guterres aims to revive discussions, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar remains firm on abandoning the federal model.
An upcoming informal meeting between the two leaders in Nicosia is expected to explore opening additional crossing points between the divided island.
