All possibilities for solving Cyprus problem to be exhausted

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he will exhaust all possibilities for the resumption of Cyprus negotiations, diplomatic sources said following his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

After the meeting on Friday at the UN HQ in New York, Mitsotakis said that every opportunity to resolve the Cyprus problem needs to be used.

During the meeting, Mitsotakis thanked Guterres and his Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin for their efforts to resume talks on the Cyprus issue.

Mitsotakis added that it is unacceptable that 50 years after the Turkish invasion Cyprus remains divided.

“This is an unacceptable situation, and every possibility must be used to reach a viable solution to the Cyprus question based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council,” he said.

Sources told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that no information was given regarding the content of Holguin’s report, however it was mentioned that the report presents the current situation on the island.

The same diplomatic sources also said that there is no proposal by the Secretary-General for a four- or five-party meeting on the Cyprus issue, which Athens also does not want.

In the coming period, Guterres’ proposals are expected to be announced, after he has been studying the report delivered to him by Holguin since Wednesday.

The Secretary-General is expected to encourage both sides to continue their efforts to return to the dialogue table, while there is an intention to discuss Holguin’s mandate during the UN General Assembly in September, according to the same sources.

On Thursday, Holguin held separate meetings with the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers in Washington, while on Friday she requested a meeting with the American Secretary of State. According to information, she is expected to be received by the US Under Secretary of State for European Affairs James O’Brien at the State Department.

Guterres and Mitsotakis also discussed Greece’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2025-26 period.

The prime minister informed Guterres about the Greek priorities and said that Greece wants to be a bridge as it is a member state of the EU and of NATO.