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For the first time in more than 15 years, a United Nations secretary-general is preparing to visit Cyprus, and President Nikos Christodoulides used a memorial event on Monday evening to send a clear message about what he believes the next chapter of the Cyprus problem should look like.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace during an event marking the anniversaries of the 1974 coup and Turkish invasion, Christodoulides placed the European Union at the center of efforts to restart momentum on the Cyprus issue, while calling on Turkey to move away from what he described as “outdated approaches.”
His message came just days before UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrives in Cyprus for talks with both sides of the divided island.
“Cyprus is also a European problem,” the president said, arguing that the EU should have a decisive role in future developments.
EU role and Guterres visit
Christodoulides said recent efforts by both the United Nations and the European Union had created “cautious optimism” about the possibility of progress.
Guterres is scheduled to visit Cyprus from July 27 to 29, accompanied by UN officials Rosemary DiCarlo and Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The UN chief’s personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, will also be on the island.
During his visit, Guterres will meet separately with Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman on Tuesday morning before holding further meetings with negotiators, technical committees, and civil society representatives.
The program will also include a private dinner with the two leaders, followed by a joint meeting on Wednesday morning at the UN’s Good Offices Mission in Nicosia.
A press conference by Guterres will follow before he leaves the island.
The visit marks the first time a UN secretary-general has come to Cyprus since February 2010, when Ban Ki-moon met with then-President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Derviş Eroğlu.
“A common home, our common homeland”
During his speech, Christodoulides said progress in EU-Turkey relations was directly linked to meaningful progress on the Cyprus issue.
He said the Republic of Cyprus had worked to make it clear internationally that the Cyprus problem is not only a regional issue but also a European one.
According to the president, this position has been reflected in European Council conclusions and strengthened by communications between EU leaders and the UN secretary-general.
He also referred to the appointment of European Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica as the Commission’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, saying it demonstrated the EU’s commitment to supporting reunification efforts.
Message to Turkey and Turkish Cypriots
Addressing Turkey, Christodoulides said a solution could benefit all sides if Ankara abandoned what he called “outdated perceptions” that do not fit with a modern European state.
He argued that division does not only affect Greek Cypriots but also limits the rights and opportunities of Turkish Cypriots.
Speaking about Turkish Cypriots, he said the Republic of Cyprus views them as equal citizens and described the future he envisions as “a country that will be our common home, our common homeland.”
He added that the government’s confidence-building measures and policies toward all legal citizens were proof of this approach.
As the UN prepares to return to Cyprus’ negotiating table, expectations remain cautious. But with renewed EU involvement and high-level meetings scheduled this week, all eyes are now on whether the latest diplomatic push can create movement where previous efforts have stalled.
