United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced plans to bring together key parties in a renewed effort to find a way forward in resolving the long-running Cyprus dispute.
Speaking to journalists in Nicosia, the divided capital of Cyprus, Mr Guterres said he would convene a new "five plus one" meeting after further preparations on confidence-building measures, negotiation methods and the substance of future talks.
The meeting would involve the two Cypriot communities, as well as Greece, Turkey and the UK — the three countries that serve as guarantor powers under Cyprus's 1960 independence arrangements.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkey occupied the northern third of the island following a Greek-backed coup aimed at union with Greece.
The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controls the south, while the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus administers the north and is recognised only by Turkey.
Previous UN-led negotiations have failed to achieve a comprehensive settlement, despite decades of diplomatic efforts.
Mr Guterres said the upcoming discussions would focus on creating the conditions needed for meaningful progress, including measures to build trust between the two sides.
The UN has maintained a peacekeeping mission on the island since 1964, making Cyprus one of the organisation's longest-running peace operations. Photo by U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers, Wikimedia commons.
