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Support among Greek Cypriots for a Cyprus settlement based on a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation (BBF) has climbed to 75.3%, reaching its highest recorded level and surpassing support for a unitary state for the first time, according to a new survey by the University of Cyprus.
The findings come from research carried out in July 2026 by the university's Center for Field Studies (UCFS) and were presented on October 28 by professors Charis Psaltis and Neophytos Loizides.
The event brought together members of the public, representatives from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, and members of the diplomatic corps. It was organised by the UCFS in partnership with the Decision for Peace initiative and the Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Centre (CPDC).
Researchers examined public attitudes towards possible settlement arrangements, the return to negotiations, confidence-building measures and relations between the island's two communities.
One of the main findings came from joint research involving representative samples from both communities. Using conjoint survey experiments, the research team assessed different combinations of proposals based on the Guterres framework. The analysis identified 118 potential settlement packages that could each secure the support of at least 55% of respondents in both communities.
The findings suggest that there are multiple combinations of political and institutional arrangements capable of attracting majority backing on both sides, rather than a single formula for a possible agreement.
An interactive online platform was also introduced during the presentation, allowing members of the public to create their own proposed settlement arrangements and see estimated acceptance levels among Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in real time.
The event also featured a discussion chaired by Professor Panayiotis Stavrinides, with particular attention given to a proposed bicommunal committee for Consultative Assemblies.
The initiative would bring together randomly selected citizens from both communities, giving them the opportunity to discuss issues affecting the island and submit recommendations directly to the two leaders. Participants described the proposal as a potentially valuable addition to the peace process.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded following a coup backed by the military junta then ruling Greece. The northern part of the island has remained under Turkish control ever since, with successive United Nations-led efforts to negotiate a settlement failing to produce an agreement.
The most recent major round of negotiations took place at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in July 2017, but ended without a breakthrough.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his intention to convene another meeting involving the parties and guarantor powers, following sufficient preparatory work. No date has yet been announced, although consensus for such a meeting has been secured.
His Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Angela Holguín, has been tasked with engaging with the parties ahead of any renewed diplomatic effort. The European Commission is also represented by Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, who took over the role of Special Representative for Cyprus from Johannes Hahn.
With negotiations yet to resume formally, the latest research offers an indication of changing public attitudes among Greek Cypriots and identifies potential areas of agreement that could be explored in future settlement discussions.
