Former Democratic Rally (DISY) president Averof Neophytou has called on the island's two communities to focus on meeting the conditions outlined by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue, while also taking aim at political discussions centred on the 2028 presidential election.
In a public intervention, Mr Neophytou argued that if the two sides genuinely want a settlement, their negotiating teams should already be engaged in intensive dialogue rather than preparing for the August holiday period.
According to Mr Neophytou, Mr Guterres made it clear during his departure from Cyprus that he was prepared to convene a broader conference on the Cyprus issue, provided there was prior progress on key matters.
Reference to Guterres' conditions
Mr Neophytou recalled that the UN secretary-general had indicated that a multilateral conference could be convened if agreement was first reached on at least one crossing point, as well as on methodology and the basic principles governing the content of a future settlement.
He further noted that Mr Guterres subsequently clarified his position, summarising it as:
"Work on the issues I raised so that I can convene the multilateral conference for a Cyprus settlement."
According to Mr Neophytou, both communities should work intensively towards these objectives and seek to demonstrate progress by the beginning of autumn.
Under that approach, the two sides would be in a position to jointly inform the UN secretary-general that agreement had been reached on the necessary prerequisites and request that he proceed with convening the conference.
Criticism over lack of urgency
The former DISY leader suggested that any community genuinely committed to a settlement after 52 years of occupation would be prioritising negotiations and preparation for future talks.
His remarks were widely interpreted as criticism of President Nikos Christodoulides' handling of the process following Mr Guterres' visit and the conditions set for further diplomatic engagement.
The comments also appeared to take aim at recent polling activity and political discussion surrounding the 2028 presidential election, which has attracted growing attention within political circles.
Neophytou's remarks
In his statement, Mr Neophytou said:
"Guterres, when leaving Cyprus, told us clearly, at least those who are not burying their heads in the sand and insisting on misunderstanding what is happening: 'I have decided on a multilateral conference, but first agree on opening at least one crossing point, agree on the methodology and on the basic principles regarding the content of the solution.'"
He added:
"The two communities, if they genuinely wish for a solution to the Cyprus problem, should already have their negotiating teams engaged in intensive dialogue on these issues."
Concluding his comments, Mr Neophytou wrote:
"Instead, everyone is ready for carefree summer holidays and opinion polls for 2028. We are living in our own world. God help us."
Ο Γκουτέρες, φεύγοντας από την Κύπρο,μάς το είπε ξεκάθαρα – τουλάχιστον σε όσους δεν στρουθοκαμηλίζουν και επιμένουν να καταλαβαίνουν τί συμβαίνει: «Αποφάσισα πενταμερή, αλλά πρώτα αποφασίστε το άνοιγμα έστω και ενός οδοφράγματος, συμφωνήστε στη μεθοδολογία αλλά και στις βασικές…
— Averof Neofytou (@AverofCY) August 1, 2026
