Cyprus Issue to Be Discussed at High-Level Meeting in Geneva
On March 17, the leaders of Northern and Southern Cyprus will hold an informal meeting in Geneva under UN auspices. Turkey, Greece, and the UK will also participate in the talks.
Meeting Format
The meeting will not be a continuation of previous negotiations nor the start of a formal process. Instead, it will focus on exchanging views on the prospects for resolving the Cyprus issue.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, and UK Minister for Europe and North America Stephen Doughty will represent their respective countries.
Position of Northern Cyprus
TRNC President Ersin Tatar visited Ankara ahead of the talks, where he discussed the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkey and Northern Cyprus insist on recognition of the existing reality, stating that the island consists of two peoples and two states.
In 2021, Tatar declared that he would not discuss a federation with Greek Cyprus, arguing that previous UN-led settlement efforts had failed. Turkish Cyprus continues to seek international recognition of its sovereignty.
Historical Background
The Cyprus conflict has persisted for decades. In 1974, Turkey, as a guarantor state, intervened militarily following a Greek-backed coup aimed at annexing Cyprus. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared.
The Greek Cypriot side joined the EU in 2004 but blocked a UN peace plan that same year. Greek and Turkish Cypriots remain divided on a potential resolution.
Prospects for Settlement
The decision to hold the Geneva meeting followed an informal dinner between UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ersin Tatar, and Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in New York in October 2024.
The upcoming meeting in Geneva could provide fresh momentum for negotiations, but fundamental disagreements remain between the parties.
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