Yiannis Ioannou
The two-day visit of UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacekeeping Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, marked a significant step in the UN’s efforts to organize an international conference on the Cyprus issue, set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, in March. During her stay, the American diplomat met separately with the two leaders, as well as with representatives of civil society. She will continue her diplomatic engagements with visits to Athens and Ankara starting Thursday.
March 17 Set as Conference Date
During her meetings in Cyprus, DiCarlo secured March 17-18 as the tentative dates for the informal international conference, barring any unforeseen developments. As reported by K newspaper, these dates align with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ scheduled presence in Europe. Both Cypriot leaders responded positively to the proposal.
Switzerland was chosen as the venue due to its established role in past Cyprus negotiations and its familiarity to both the UN and key stakeholders. DiCarlo’s upcoming visits to Athens and Ankara are expected to solidify the participation of Greece and Turkey at the foreign minister level, while the UK will be represented by the Minister for European Affairs. This comes despite Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s rhetoric advocating for a more limited “4+1” format.
Notably, the timing of the Geneva meeting, just ahead of the EU Summit on March 20, could allow the UN to leverage any positive developments in breaking the deadlock. If progress is made, it may encourage greater EU involvement in the process and foster a more constructive link between Cyprus talks and EU-Turkey relations.
Engagement with Civil Society
During her stay, DiCarlo underscored the importance of civil society in the peace process, holding meetings with representatives of women’s and youth organizations on both Monday and Tuesday before departing for Athens. She also dined with the two negotiators, Menelaos Menelaou and Güneş Onar, to gain insights into ongoing discussions, including the potential opening of new crossing points. Additionally, she met with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the staff of the UN Good Offices in Cyprus.
Averof Neophytou: "It's Now or Never!"
Former DISY leader Averof Neophytou reiterated his stance on the Cyprus issue, emphasizing the urgency of the moment following DiCarlo’s visit. He called on President Nikos Christodoulides to approach negotiations with boldness and “patriotic realism,” assuring that if the president chooses the “difficult but beneficial path for the country,” he will have his support.
National Council Meeting on Friday
In light of these developments, President Christodoulides has convened a National Council meeting for Friday. The council will review the latest updates and prepare for the upcoming international conference in Geneva.
The Broader Picture
The UN’s push to restart Cyprus negotiations is shaped by three key factors:
1. Challenges in Initial Positions: DiCarlo will report to Guterres on the fundamental differences between the two sides, including long-standing disputes, even over practical matters such as crossing points.
2. Breakthrough Strategy: The primary challenge is finding a methodology that can move beyond the current stalemate and bring both sides back to the negotiating table with a real chance of progress.
3. Regional Dynamics: Beyond Turkey’s role, shifting political trends in the Turkish Cypriot community could influence the process. One significant development is the replacement of Turkey’s ambassador to the north with Ali Murat Başçeri, who played a key role in the 2017 Crans-Montana talks and was instrumental in Tatar’s rise to power in 2020. His return suggests Ankara may be reassessing its approach to the Cyprus issue.
As diplomatic efforts continue, all eyes will be on Geneva next month to see whether this latest UN initiative can breathe new life into the stalled peace process.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
