Cyprus leaders agree on new cooperation measures at Geneva talks

Leaders at an informal meeting on the Cyprus issue have reached agreement on several cooperation initiatives including opening new crossing points, demining operations, and generating solar energy in the United Nations buffer zone, Turkish officials announced Tuesday.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said that in the absence of common ground for a final resolution to the decades-long Cyprus dispute, discussions instead focused on practical measures that could benefit both communities on the divided island.

“The leaders agreed on making progress regarding opening new crossing points, demining the island, addressing environmental and climate issues, generating electricity from solar energy in the buffer zone, restoring cemeteries, and establishing a technical committee on youth initiatives,” Keceli said.

The spokesperson described the meeting as “a significant step in improving good neighborly relations between the two states on the island” and announced that another informal meeting in a similar format is scheduled for July.

The Geneva talks were hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is expected to appoint a personal envoy to help facilitate future discussions on the issue, according to Turkish officials.

“In the coming period, we will continue our efforts to develop a culture of cooperation between the two sides on the island in close consultation with the leadership of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Keceli added.

What is the situation in Cyprus?

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following a Greek-backed coup and Türkiye’s subsequent military intervention. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was established in 1983 but is recognized only by Türkiye.

Peace efforts have stalled repeatedly over the years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, under the auspices of guarantor countries. The most recent major attempt before this week’s talks took place in Geneva in 2021, when Guterres concluded there was not enough common ground to resume formal negotiations.

The Greek Cypriot Administration joined the European Union in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots rejected a United Nations plan to resolve the dispute in a referendum.