I returned to Cyprus as the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General following the informal meeting in a broader format convened by the Secretary-General in Geneva on 17 - 18 March 2025 with the participation of Mr. Nikos Christodoulides and Mr. Ersin Tatar, as well as the senior representatives of the Guarantor Powers.  

During my visit to Cyprus, I had positive meetings with both leaders who expressed their willingness to making progress on the concrete initiatives, agreed in Geneva, that they considered feasible and to the benefit of all Cypriots. We also discussed the broader developments on the island, including the question of property. I believe that by building genuine trust we can pave the way for a positive outcome from the informal broader meeting in July.   

In a trilateral format, I also reviewed in greater details the progress made thus far with the representatives of the two leaders, Mr. Güneş Onar and Mr. Menelaos Menelaou. Being able to discuss these issues jointly represents a constructive way to start building trust. I look forward to continuing with these engagements to find common and workable solutions to the issues that affect the lives of all Cypriots.  

I was reassured and encouraged by the dedication of the members of the Youth Technical Committee to begin contributing to shaping a better future for Cyprus. To me, this represents a sign of hope and shows the great potential young people can bring to the broader efforts aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue. I also met with the co-chairs of the Environment and the Cultural Heritage Technical Committees. I wish to highlight the great value of their efforts to implement meaningful initiatives such as the restoration of cemeteries, which represent a significant humanitarian effort that will touch the soul and hearts of so many affected families throughout the island. I also had the opportunity of meeting with the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce which represent an example of joint work to find practical ways to address common challenges and to identify new opportunities for the benefit of all Cypriots.  

I am here to offer support, to promote dialogue and to bring everyone closer together, as the leaders seek to fulfil their commitments as outlined in the outcomes of the Geneva meeting. I reiterate my resolve to respectfully carry out this duty, as a reflection of the Secretary-General’s invitation to move forward towards next steps in a spirit of compromise. I plan to visit Cyprus again before the next informal broader to be convened by the Secretary-General. 

End.