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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has delivered a direct message to the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, warning that the current momentum toward a political settlement is fragile and cannot be taken for granted.
In his latest Good Offices report, the UN chief welcomed the recent uptick in face-to-face meetings between the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman. However, Guterres made it clear that increased contact alone will not deliver a permanent peace without concrete actions on the ground and a return to formal negotiations.
Progress and stalled promises
The report outlines a mixed picture of recent bi-communal efforts. On the positive side, Guterres welcomed a new framework to establish a civil society advisory body, designed to give the public more influence in the peace process. Dialogue has also grown significantly more frequent since Mr. Erhürman took office late last year, resulting in three recent UN-backed bilateral meetings and 26 sessions between the leaders' special representatives.
Yet, the UN chief pointed out that the majority of the ten confidence-building measures agreed upon in mid-2025 remain unfulfilled. While initiatives involving youth, cemetery restoration, and civil society have progressed, critical plans for new crossing points, demining, and a shared solar power plant inside the buffer zone are stuck in limbo.
The report explicitly noted that the full benefits of the recent expansion at the Ayios Dometios/Metehan crossing in Nicosia will only be felt once both sides supply the necessary personnel for document checks, as promised in late 2025. Guterres pressed for full implementation of the Green Line Regulation to boost trade and cooperation.
Buffer Zone Friction and Regional Strain
The assessment arrives during a challenging period for the island. The UN described the situation along the buffer zone as fragile, pointing specifically to lingering friction on the Pyla plateau. Unilateral actions by both sides continue to challenge the established military status quo and the authority of the UN Security Council.
Geopolitical factors are also complicating local dynamics. Guterres pointed out that the volatile situation across the Middle East has brought substantial foreign military forces into the region and onto the island, creating additional friction between the two sides. Meanwhile, a recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in livestock caused mutual recriminations over containment policies, further straining bi-communal relations.
The report also reaffirmed that the UN position on the fenced-off area of Varosha remains unchanged, demanding strict adherence to Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789.
Diplomatic push and inclusivity
Despite the hurdles, the UN continues its diplomatic push. Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín visited the island twice this year, holding joint and separate talks with the leaders, political parties, and regional stakeholders. Her diplomacy extended to Athens, Ankara, London, Washington, and Brussels, where she met with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to push for greater youth engagement.
Guterres praised the island's 13 technical committees for their active work, particularly in organizing cultural exhibitions, managing a 2 million Euro banknote exchange pilot for the Turkish Cypriot community, and coordinating veterinary responses. He also praised the decision to maintain equal gender representation on these committees, demanding the full implementation of the 2022 Action Plan for women's inclusion in peace talks.
The UN chief concluded by reminding the guarantor powers and the European Union of their vital role in supporting the process, stating that a comprehensive solution remains the only path to genuine security and prosperity for all Cypriots.
