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President Nikos Christodoulides will head to New York later this month for crucial UN-hosted talks on the Cyprus problem, but notably, he’ll be going alone.
In a move the government says is purely logistical, no members of Cyprus’ political leadership will accompany the president to the expanded multilateral summit on July 16–17. Instead, party leaders will stay behind and remain in constant contact through video conferences and briefings.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed the decision Thursday following a National Council meeting, adding that the absence of a political entourage “shouldn’t be read as a sign of low expectations.”
“The President will maintain close communication with all party leaders throughout his stay,” Letymbiotis said, underscoring that the goal remains to get stalled peace talks back on track.
The New York summit, which follows the Geneva format, will begin with a dinner on July 16, followed by bilateral meetings and a plenary session the next day. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ personal envoy, María Ángela Holguín, is expected to play a central role, arriving in Cyprus on Sunday to continue shuttle diplomacy. She will meet Christodoulides on Monday morning.
Holguín has spent the past few months gauging whether conditions are ripe to restart negotiations, following visits to key capitals including Ankara, Athens, London, Brussels, and reportedly Paris.
Despite the intensified diplomatic push, the climate remains fraught. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar continues to insist on a two-state solution, a red line for the Greek Cypriot side and a non-starter for the United Nations.
Letymbiotis acknowledged that Tatar’s rhetoric has ramped up in recent weeks ahead of “elections” in the occupied areas but stressed that public posturing isn’t what moves the dial.
“We don’t expect progress through press statements,” he said. “What counts is the credibility of each side in front of the Secretary-General and the broader international community.”
The government also continues to lobby for stronger EU involvement. While it’s still unclear whether EU Special Envoy Johannes Hahn will attend the New York meeting, Letymbiotis said Brussels’ role is critical, especially given the EU’s official stance linking Turkey’s EU path to progress on the Cyprus issue.
