Guterres to convene new Cyprus talks as UN seeks path toward settlement

Wednesday 29 July 2026 - 12:15

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced plans to organize a new multi-party meeting aimed at finding a way forward in efforts to resolve the long-running division of Cyprus, a conflict that has remained unresolved for more than five decades.

Speaking in Nicosia on Wednesday, Guterres said he would convene another "five plus one" meeting after sufficient preparation on confidence-building measures, negotiation methods and the substance of future discussions.

The planned talks are expected to bring together the two Cypriot sides as well as the three countries with guarantor status under Cyprus' independence arrangements: Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

The announcement follows renewed diplomatic engagement over the future of the Mediterranean island, which has been divided since the 1970s. The southern part is internationally recognized as the Republic of Cyprus, while the northern area is administered by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

The United Nations has played a central role in facilitating negotiations between the two communities, seeking a comprehensive settlement that addresses political governance, security arrangements and confidence-building measures.

Guterres emphasized the need for careful preparation before the next meeting, suggesting that progress would depend on establishing a clearer framework for dialogue and rebuilding trust among the parties involved.

The Cyprus issue has repeatedly faced obstacles despite decades of negotiations, with disagreements over power-sharing, territorial arrangements and security guarantees continuing to complicate efforts toward reunification.

The upcoming meeting represents another attempt by the United Nations to restart momentum in the peace process and identify practical steps that could bring the two sides closer to a negotiated solution.