Yiannis Ioannou
Seasoned observers are calling it an “informal express” gathering, the two-day international conference on the Cyprus problem that kicks off today at United Nations headquarters in New York. The July 16–17 meeting is not expected to relaunch formal peace talks but is seen as part of the UN’s ongoing effort to keep the process alive.
While it’s billed as a five-party meeting (Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, the UK, Greece, and Turkey), the European Union is noticeably absent. The agenda is light and mostly symbolic, featuring a welcome dinner, bilateral meetings between leaders and the UN Secretary-General, a plenary session, and a working lunch before final discussions.
The schedule
At 2 p.m. Cyprus time today, President Nikos Christodoulides will attend a dinner hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters in New York, a symbolic curtain-raiser to the informal gathering.
On Thursday, July 17, at 10:25 a.m. New York time, President Christodoulides will meet bilaterally with Guterres. The Secretary-General will also hold one-on-one meetings with other participants.
At 11:30 a.m., the plenary session begins, with opening statements and a general discussion. At 1:30 p.m., the heads of delegations, each joined by one additional team member, will sit down for a working lunch. President Christodoulides will be accompanied by Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou. A concluding discussion is expected to wrap up by 4:45 p.m.
No surprises expected
Well-placed sources say the New York meeting is not expected to produce a breakthrough, nor a formal collapse of the process. It’s more about staying in the game.
President Christodoulides, who left for New York on Monday, said his goal is to help create the conditions for resuming talks.
“We know our objectives, we know what we’re aiming for. The current situation cannot be the future of our country,” he said.
While acknowledging the difficulties ahead, Christodoulides pointed to tangible steps already taken, such as the appointment of a UN envoy and the expanded Geneva meeting earlier this year, as signs of progress.
Who’s there and who’s not
The Cypriot delegation is deliberately slim. Joining the president are Attorney-General George Savvides, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, Presidential Press Director Viktoras Papadopoulos, Diplomatic Office Director Doros Venezis, along with academics and senior civil servants including Achilleas Emilianides and Vassilis Protopapas.
In contrast to the informal Geneva summit in March, political party leaders from Cyprus will not be attending this time, as agreed at the most recent National Council meeting.
Tatar’s program
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar is scheduled to meet with Secretary-General Guterres on Thursday, July 17, from 10:00 to 10:20 a.m. local time (5:00–5:20 p.m. Cyprus time). Immediately afterward, he’ll meet with the UK’s Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty.
Following the plenary session, Tatar plans to hold a press conference at 5:00 p.m. New York time (midnight in Cyprus), and will then depart New York. He is expected to arrive in the occupied north on Friday, July 18, at 8:05 p.m., where he will hold another press conference at the illegal Tymbou (Ercan) airport.
Tatar is joined by his so-called “foreign minister” Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, special representative Güneş Onar, legal adviser Sülen Karabacak, “CBM coordinator” Senihá Birand Çınar, “diplomatic adviser” Hüseyin Işıksal, and “international press officer” Kerem Haser.
The bigger picture
Sources close to the talks reiterate that while no breakthrough is expected, the meeting is also not likely to end in deadlock. It’s part of a long game.
President Christodoulides stressed that the EU should have a presence in any renewed negotiations, noting that while Brussels isn’t attending this round, a formal letter from the EU may be sent, similar to past conferences.
He underlined the importance of EU engagement and the role of special envoy Johannes Hahn, saying the envoy is actively working all channels, especially towards Ankara.
“Any progress in EU-Turkey relations must go through Cyprus,” the President said, emphasizing that the Republic of Cyprus continues to hold its red lines.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
