Latest news with #Cypriots
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Cyprus peace talks show progress but key issues remain unresolved
NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described recent Cyprus peace talks as 'constructive,' though key issues like crossing points and solar energy cooperation remain unresolved. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar made progress on forming a youth committee but failed to agree on opening four crossing points. Guterres stressed the urgency of implementing agreed measures for the benefit of all Cypriots. However, Tatar expressed frustration over Greek Cypriot demands for a new road in the buffer zone, calling it unacceptable. 'Because of this buffer zone complication, we have not been able to announce the opening of four gates,' Tatar told reporters. Despite setbacks, Tatar remains hopeful for progress before the UN General Assembly in September. The latest talks follow a March meeting in Geneva, where both sides agreed on confidence-building measures, including mine clearance and solar energy cooperation. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus recognized only by Turkey. The last major peace talks collapsed in 2017. Guterres noted cautious optimism, saying, 'We are building, step-by-step, confidence and creating conditions to do concrete things.' - AFP
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Chief Reports Progress In Cyprus Talks, Urges Swift Implementation Of Trust Measures
17 July 2025 Mr. Guterres was speaking to reporters after hosting Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar at the UN Headquarters in New York. ' Today's discussions were constructive. Both leaders reviewed the progress on the six initiatives they agreed to in March to build trust,' he said. The six measures include the creation of a technical committee on youth, initiatives on the environment and climate change, restoration of cemeteries, and an agreement on demining that will be closed once the final technical details are established. 'And discussions will continue on the remaining two,' the UN chief added, referring to the opening of four crossing points and solar energy in the buffer zone. New initiatives In addition, the leaders reached a common understanding on new initiatives, including a consultative body for civil society engagement, exchanging cultural artifacts, improving air quality monitoring, and addressing microplastic pollution. ' It is critical to implement these initiatives – all of them – as soon as possible for the benefit of all Cypriots, ' Mr. Guterres said. The Secretary-General also confirmed that he will meet both leaders again during the UN General Assembly's highlevel week in September. Another informal meeting in the same format is planned later this year. A long road ahead ' There's a long road ahead. And it is important to think about what the future can mean – for all Cypriots,' he said. ' But these steps clearly demonstrate a commitment to continuing a dialogue on the way forward and working on initiatives that benefit all Cypriots,' he added. Supporting dialogue The United Nations has been playing a central role in efforts towards a comprehensive and mutually acceptable settlement to the Cyprus issue, supporting dialogue between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders. While sufficient common ground has not been found to allow for the resumption of formal negotiations, engagement towards that end continues – including informal meetings convened by the Secretary-General and other top UN officials. Meanwhile, the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), deployed since 1964, remains on the ground, helping to maintain stability across the island.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cyprus leaders to continue discussions on confidence building, says UN
An abandoned outpost is seen near the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou (Reuters) -Leaders of ethnically split Cyprus have agreed to continue discussions towards confidence building, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, in a dispute which has kept NATO partners Greece and Turkey at odds for decades. The Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities will press ahead with attempts to open new crossing points between the two sides and cooperating on solar energy initiatives, Guterres said after hosting the Cypriot leaders at U.N. headquarters in New York. "It is critical to implement all these initiatives as soon as possible, for the benefit of all Cypriots," Guterres said. The two sides had agreed in an encounter with Guterres earlier this year to open four additional crossing points, demine, establish a youth affairs committee, and launch environmental and solar energy projects. There are presently nine crossing points along a 180-km-long (116-mile-long) ceasefire line splitting the two sides. Guterres said there was a "question of itinerary" in relation to one of the new checkpoints opening but that there had been important progress on the issue. Cyprus was split more than 50 years ago in a Turkish invasion after a brief Greek-inspired coup, following years of sporadic violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Reunification talks collapsed in mid-2017 and have been in a stalemate since. The Cyprus conflict is a key source of disagreement between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, fiercely defensive of their respective kin on the island. (Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Cyprus leaders to continue discussions on confidence building, says UN
An abandoned outpost is seen near the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou Leaders of ethnically split Cyprus have agreed to continue discussions towards confidence building, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, in a dispute which has kept NATO partners Greece and Turkey at odds for decades. The Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities will press ahead with attempts to open new crossing points between the two sides and cooperating on solar energy initiatives, Guterres said after hosting the Cypriot leaders at U.N. headquarters in New York. "It is critical to implement all these initiatives as soon as possible, for the benefit of all Cypriots," Guterres said. The two sides had agreed in an encounter with Guterres earlier this year to open four additional crossing points, demine, establish a youth affairs committee, and launch environmental and solar energy projects. There are presently nine crossing points along a 180-km-long (116-mile-long) ceasefire line splitting the two sides. Guterres said there was a "question of itinerary" in relation to one of the new checkpoints opening but that there had been important progress on the issue. Cyprus was split more than 50 years ago in a Turkish invasion after a brief Greek-inspired coup, following years of sporadic violence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Reunification talks collapsed in mid-2017 and have been in a stalemate since. The Cyprus conflict is a key source of disagreement between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, fiercely defensive of their respective kin on the island. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe into Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail
Euronews
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Cyprus: a never ending partition?
Euronews reporter Valerie Gauriat went to island to hear from young Cypriots from both sides of the divide about their perspectives on the ongoing partition, and their visions for the future. 'My generation is dropping down the blame game. We have seen what not to do', says 28-year-old Turkish Cypriot Berk Tansel. 'We have to think of ourselves as part of the whole that we are, whether we like it or not. », echoes Christiana Eftychiou, 22 years old, and a Greek Cypriot. Their friendship grew from a shared commitment to reunification. Cyprus is divided since 1974, when a Greek-backed coup triggered a Turkish military intervention. This led to a split between the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus, and the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' recognized only by Turkey. While the Republic of Cyprus is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern entity, which remains under Turkish military presence. Berk and Christiana routinely cross the checkpoints separating the two communities. 'I grew up in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, and experienced what it means to be a European citizen, but technically not live in the EU where EU acquis is enforced », says Berk. 'Your rights are suspended, there's corruption. And this place being a legal internationally black hole, it pushes the mafia, human trafficking, sex trafficking.' The 'only way out' insists Berk, 'is the agreed UN framework, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, where the EU acquis is applied all across the island.' Christiana has more faith in grassroots action than formal politics. 'We need to change the narrative. We have narratives shaping the identity of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in our education, our everyday life. There's a construction of the 'other person' that you never really get to meet'. A sociology student, she advocates for 'more common spaces, more exposure to whatever we deem as 'the other', so that it is not a threat anymore. This is not being encouraged, on a larger scale.' sighs Christiana. 'If we carry on the way we do, with the idea of a Federation taking a big part in political discourse, but no practical action towards that, nothing will happen.', she warns. Chances of reopening official reunification talks, stalled since 2017, are thin, according to Hubert Faustmann, a professor at the University of Nicosia, and director of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation's Cyprus Office. 'The Turkish Cypriot and Turkish position has shifted. They insist on the recognition of equal sovereignty, or even of the separatist Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as a prerequisite for talks. The Greek Cypriot side and the international community will never accept this.' As for the European Union's role, the analyst is skeptical. 'Given that the Greek Cypriot-dominated Republic of Cyprus has joined the EU, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots reject an active role of the European Union.' he explains, while acknowledging the Cyprus problem is 'a European problem.' 'There's a part of European territory, legally speaking, that's occupied by Turkey. There's an unresolved dispute pitching the European Union against Turkey, with many EU states having no interest in a confrontation with Turkey. While the Greek policy is to use EU membership against Turkey to get concessions in the Cyprus question.', says Faustmann, before concluding: 'This is a stable conflict. It's very much conflict management rather than conflict resolution. I fear the status quo is here for years to come, with this island slowly drifting into permanent partition.'
