The Informal Meeting on Cyprus in an expanded format begins today in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations, aiming to explore possible ways forward in the ongoing Cyprus issue.
The meeting takes place among significant differences between the two sides. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides has reiterated his commitment to resuming negotiations from the point they stalled in Crans-Montana in 2017. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar maintains that any agreement must be based on cooperation between two states, ensuring sovereign equality and equal international status.
Expectations for an immediate breakthrough remain low, given the parties’ firm positions. However, there is speculation that this gathering could mark the first step in a broader regional cooperation process.
Delegations arrive in Geneva
The Greek Cypriot delegation, led by Christodoulides, arrived in Geneva on Sunday evening, accompanied by members of the National Council, including former leader Nicos Anastasiades and parliamentary party leaders from DISY, AKEL, DIKO, EDEK, DEPA, and Greens’ Vice-President Kyriakos Tsimillis. A National Council meeting is scheduled for Monday at 11:00 AM local time.
On the Turkish Cypriot side, parliamentary parties UBP, DP, YDP, and CTP, along with representatives from HP and TDP, are also in Geneva. Additionally, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu and a delegation from the Foreign Ministry are present.
Meeting agenda
The bilateral meetings will take place at InterContinental hotel. The UN will be represented at the meeting by UN Secretary-General Guterres, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, and Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart.
The Informal Meeting will officially begin with a UN-hosted dinner at 19:00 (local time), attended by the heads of delegations. Following the dinner, Christodoulides is expected to brief the National Council.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will hold bilateral meetings with each side from 09:00 to 10:45, followed by a plenary session at the Palais des Nations from 12:00 to 15:00. The bilateral meetings will take place at the InterContinental Hotel.
The Greek Cypriot delegation includes Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, and negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, among others. The Turkish Cypriot delegation, headed by Tatar, comprises Special Representative Gunes Onar , Legal Affairs Advisor Sülen Karabacak, Confidence Building Measures and Bilateral Technical Committees Coordinator Seniha Birand Çınar, International Relations and Diplomacy Special Advisor Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksalvarious.
The Greek delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, while the Turkish delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The UK delegation, which includes Minister of State for Europe Stephen Doughty and British High Commissioner to Cyprus Michael Tatham, is also expected to participate, along with representatives from the European Union.
