cyprus initiative — Turkey’s support for the UN Cyprus initiative gained momentum as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, alongside three European Union commissioners, reaffirmed their collaborative commitment to resolving the long-standing Cyprus problem. This joint support was expressed in a statement released late on Tuesday, following a meeting in Ankara.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- She emphasised the importance of both the EU and Turkey addressing the Cyprus issue, urging both sides to support Guterres’ mediation and negotiation efforts.
Cyprus initiative: Key Figures in the Initiative
The joint statement was signed by Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, and Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner. Their visit to Ankara took place just ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit set for next week in the Turkish capital.
Focus on Regional Stability
The discussions among these officials centred on strengthening EU-Turkey relations, which they described as having strategic value in promoting regional stability and economic resilience amid a shifting geopolitical landscape. They reviewed key issues, including economic cooperation, migration, security, and common foreign policy challenges.
“They reaffirmed the shared determination to enhance our cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship in these areas,” the statement noted. “We voiced support for the efforts being undertaken by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the Cyprus issue.”
Ramping Up Negotiation Efforts
The statement from Turkish and EU officials comes as various stakeholders intensify efforts to resume negotiations regarding Cyprus. Earlier on the same day, Khassim Diagne, the chief of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp), met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Kemal Bozay. Additionally, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos held a telephone conversation with Stephen Doughty, the UK minister of state for Europe.
Implications of the Upcoming NATO Summit
The forthcoming NATO summit, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is expected to further influence the discussions around Cyprus. Leaders from Cyprus’ other two guarantor powers, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will also be in attendance. While Cyprus may not dominate the agenda, the summit will focus on security guarantees in the event of a post-solution Cyprus.
These guarantees could potentially involve NATO’s military presence on the island, including troops from Turkey, Greece, France, the UK, and the United States, as well as the accession of a new Cypriot republic to NATO.
Future Engagements of UN Envoy
UN envoy for the Cyprus problem Maria Angela Holguin has delayed her planned engagements until after the NATO summit, with her next meeting scheduled for July 13 in Brussels with European Council President Antonio Costa. Although there was speculation about potential meetings with NATO officials in Brussels, a NATO representative confirmed that “there are no meetings planned with the envoy and the topic has not been discussed at NATO.”
Growing Consensus for a Peaceful Solution
Despite the uncertainties, the joint statement serves as a clear indication that various parties involved in the Cyprus issue are converging in their support for the ongoing UN efforts. Kallas noted earlier in the week that “achieving a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue would open the door to resolving many problems.”
She emphasised the importance of both the EU and Turkey addressing the Cyprus issue, urging both sides to support Guterres’ mediation and negotiation efforts.
Turkey’s Historical Engagement in Cyprus Issues
High-level sources indicated that President Erdogan has given the green light for the UN’s new initiative on Cyprus. They cited Turkey’s backing of the 2004 referendum and the 2017 negotiations, both of which were rejected by the Greek Cypriot side, as evidence of Erdogan’s pragmatic approach and willingness to engage for a resolution.
Next Steps for Potential Meetings
Holguin is expected to return to Cyprus later this month to conduct further discussions with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. The aim is to organise an enlarged meeting regarding the Cyprus issue, involving both sides of the island, the three guarantor powers, and the UN.
While this meeting was originally planned for the end of this month or early August, it is now anticipated to occur later in August at the earliest, depending on the outcomes of the NATO summit and subsequent discussions.
