President Nikos Christodoulides has assured UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Cyprus’ upcoming EU Council Presidency and parliamentary elections will “in no way” affect his commitment to the immediate resumption of substantive negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
According to government sources, the President sent a letter to Guterres early last week requesting a meeting within March.
Commitment to UN framework and international law
In his letter, President Christodoulides reportedly expressed appreciation for the UN chief’s dedication and efforts to restart the negotiating process.
He reaffirmed his commitment to international law, the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, referring to the continuing Turkish occupation and attempts to create new faits accomplis on the ground.
The President also cited the two informal enlarged meetings held in Geneva and New York City under UN auspices, which he said helped create conditions for renewed momentum.
Federal solution remains agreed basis
Christodoulides reiterated that the agreed basis for a settlement remains a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in UN Security Council resolutions.
He referred to his meeting on 11 December 2025 with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, during which it was confirmed that the objective is a solution based on political equality in line with UN resolutions.
He also reaffirmed his readiness to participate in the next informal enlarged meeting under UN auspices, with the aim of resuming negotiations from where they left off in Crans-Montana, stressing the importance of preserving the acquis of those talks.
Five-point proposal and crossing points
According to the same sources, the President informed the UN Secretary-General of his five-point proposal to restart the process. The proposal includes:
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Reaffirmation of the agreed basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.
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Submission by the UN of a document recording convergences achieved up to Crans-Montana.
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Convening the next informal enlarged meeting.
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Resumption of negotiations.
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Agreement on opening four crossing points: Mia Milia, Athienou–Pyroi–Aglantzia, Louroujina–Lympia and Kokkina.
He also underlined the added value of the participation of the European Union, particularly through the envoy of the European Commission, in the Secretary-General’s initiative.
Core parameters reaffirmed
The President reiterated the fundamental parameters of a settlement: a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship, safeguarding independence and territorial integrity, and excluding union with another state, partition or secession.
Finally, he stressed that Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 and the forthcoming parliamentary elections will “in no way” hinder efforts for the immediate resumption of meaningful negotiations and tangible progress on the Cyprus issue.
Earlier on Tuesday, following a meeting at the Presidential Palace with Erhurman, President Christodoulides confirmed he had already submitted a written request to the UN Secretary-General seeking to arrange a meeting within March.