Greek PM to discuss UN involvement in Cyprus with Guterres

UN involvement in the Cyprus issue will be discussed later on Friday when Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meets UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. Mitsotakis affirmed on Thursday that the Greek government supports the resumption of talks between the two communities in Cyprus, based on UN resolutions.

“What is imperative is for the talks between the two communities to commence without delay,” he pointed out.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 75th Nato summit, Mitsotakis said he would “have the opportunity to visit Cyprus on the evening of July 20 to attend an event at the presidential palace” to mark 50 years since the Turkish invasion.

“From there, I will confer with the secretary-general on how he can contribute to healing this open wound, 50 years after the Turkish invasion, and to finding a sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem,” the Greek prime minister stated.

Speaking after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Washington, Mitsotakis said the Greek government has expressed its satisfaction with the fact that there is yet another UN initiative for Cyprus.

He also mentioned his upcoming meeting with the UN chief on Friday to discuss further efforts.

Mitsotakis said he did not know the details of the report submitted by UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin and therefore could not comment.

Holguin earlier met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. No statements were made after the meeting from either side.