Why will no Cyprus meeting occur in New York?
António Guterres confirmed that the conditions he outlined in July for a possible expanded-format discussion have not been fulfilled. As a result, no meeting involving the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders plus the guarantor powers will be held on the margins of the General Assembly. He made the statement during the customary press conference ahead of the High-Level Week, following contact with his Personal Envoy.
What did Guterres say about preparations?
The Secretary-General emphasised that considerable further diplomatic groundwork is needed. He noted that any future meeting must be organised so that it offers genuine prospects of progress rather than repeating earlier unsuccessful efforts. “There is still a lot of work that needs to be done,” Guterres said, adding that the United Nations remains determined to move the process forward.
How do the United Nations intend to proceed?
Guterres underlined the organisation’s continued commitment to advancing the Cyprus issue. “We are determined to move things forward and we are determined to do everything possible so that this can happen when the conditions are met for the meeting to be successful,” he stated. The UN will keep working toward a point where all necessary prerequisites for a productive encounter are in place.
What risks does Guterres want to avoid?
He explicitly warned against repeating mistakes from previous rounds of talks. The focus, he said, must remain on creating realistic opportunities for a successful outcome rather than convening a meeting prematurely. “We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” Guterres noted, stressing that every new meeting must be prepared in a way that generates real prospects of results.
Frequently asked questions
Will any Cyprus talks happen during the UN General Assembly week?
No expanded meeting in the 3+1 or 5+1 format is scheduled. The Secretary-General has stated that the required conditions have not yet been met.
What format was under consideration?
The proposed formats would have included the two Cypriot communities plus Greece , Turkey and, in the 5+1 version, the United Kingdom as well.
Why does Guterres insist on more preparation?
He believes additional diplomatic work is essential to ensure any meeting can produce tangible results and avoid the shortcomings of past negotiations.
