Guterres dinner marks small step forward as Cyprus talks resume

Politics Antonio GuterresCyprus problemTop NewsunUnited Nations Guterres dinner marks small step forward as Cyprus talks resume Guterres Dinner Marks Small Step Forward As Cyprus Talks Resume Relevant News Guterres dinner marks small step forward as Cyprus talks resume 29 July 2026 Larnaca developer arrested over €12m fraud claims, lawyer hits back 29 July 2026 Cyclist, 63, dead after collision with car in Strovolos 29 July 2026 Andreas Bimbishis 29 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber By midday, it should become clear whether UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s mission to Cyprus has succeeded. The dinner he hosted for the two leaders marked a small step forward, and attention now turns to what Guterres will say, with President Christodoulides hoping for positive developments. All the critical issues bearing on the effort Guterres has personally taken on were on the table at the dinner: substance, methodology, convergences, the expanded informal conference, and confidence-building measures. According to Phileleftheros’s information, it was an honest discussion. It will continue today at 10am, when talks resume at the UN offices near Nicosia airport. The talks are scheduled to last around ninety minutes, and shortly before midday Guterres is expected to announce their outcome. Returning from the dinner with Erhürman and Guterres, Christodoulides said he hoped to hear positive developments today. The Greek Cypriot side appears satisfied both with the discussion Christodoulides and Guterres held earlier yesterday morning and with what the Secretary-General has said publicly. According to Phileleftheros sources familiar with the discussions, what stands out to the Greek Cypriot side is that Christodoulides and Guterres are moving in step on restarting the talks and on the starting point for a new phase of negotiations. Christodoulides’s statements Speaking to journalists after the dinner, Christodoulides said the discussion had covered all the issues: substance, methodology, convergences, the expanded conference and confidence-building measures. “The discussion will continue tomorrow (today) morning, and we hope there will be specific announcements. We are working towards that. It was a good, open, honest discussion,” he added. Christodoulides expressed satisfaction “that the Secretary-General repeated again tonight that he is politically committed to this effort. We discussed everything, I’ve told you specifically which aspects, and this discussion will continue tomorrow.” Asked whether his reference to an honest discussion meant the disagreements between the two sides had resurfaced, and whether the overall discussion gave an indication of what to expect from the Secretary-General’s announcement tomorrow, the President said: “There were also issues where there was a different approach, that’s nothing new, but it was an honest discussion with arguments and counter-arguments, and I repeat, it was important that it covered the substance, the convergences, the methodology, the expanded conference, confidence-building measures, all the issues.” He said it had been “a wide-ranging discussion which was also targeted at the same time, because we want there to be specific announcements from the Secretary-General, and tomorrow we will continue at 10am aiming for exactly what I mentioned, specific announcements.” Asked whether the Secretary-General’s announcements would concern confidence-building measures, Christodoulides said it “concerns everything we discussed more broadly. We discussed all the aspects, from the convergences which are directly linked to methodology, the substance of the Cyprus problem, the expanded conference, which is a very important aspect, confidence-building measures, all the issues.” What we take from Guterres’s statements Guterres’s engagements began with two separate meetings, first with President Christodoulides and then with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. The four key points to take, as a first instalment, from Guterres’s public statements are: his reference to the people of Cyprus rather than the two communities his statement that a solution to the Cyprus problem depends on the Cypriots themselves, and that he will help both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots his reference to the guarantor powers in relation to the Cyprus effort and his own strong commitment to assist on the Cyprus problem. Summing up his talks with Christodoulides and Erhürman, the Secretary-General described two highly consultative meetings with the two leaders. The UN Secretary-General’s statements Speaking to journalists as he left the Presidential Palace after meeting Christodoulides, Guterres said: “This is a visit of solidarity to the people of Cyprus, and to show my strong commitment to ensuring that we can finally have a solution in Cyprus.” He added: “Of course it depends on the Cypriots themselves, but also on the guarantor powers, who have a role to play, but I will do everything I can to support Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots at this very important moment.” After his meeting with Erhürman in the occupied north, Guterres expressed his solidarity “with the Cypriot people, and my commitment to assist both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and the guarantor powers, in finding a solution, while at the same time seeing the development of confidence-building measures for the benefit of the people on both sides.” The first meeting with Christodoulides Welcoming Guterres, Christodoulides stressed the need for good news, both in Cyprus and across the wider region and international level, and underlined the importance of the Secretary-General’s support and political commitment. The President said: “Your presence is yet another clear indication of your commitment to resolving the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, and I look forward to our discussions and consultations.” He continued: “We need good news in Cyprus. We need good news in the region. We need good news at the international level, and we are relying on your support and your political commitment, particularly at this very difficult time internationally, when we are also seeing actions by certain actors that undermine the international system established after the Second World War.” Christodoulides said everyone had a responsibility to do what was necessary “to ensure that international law, international values and principles are upheld.“ Responding, Guterres said: “It is a huge joy to be here again and, as you rightly said, if there is a moment when resolving the Cyprus problem matters, it is now, at a time of chaos in the region and with certain geopolitical changes that could suddenly place Cyprus at the centre of unwanted developments.” He described his visit as “a visit of solidarity and humility, carried out with the aim of supporting the two communities of Cyprus in finding a solution. I am fully aware that a solution to the Cyprus problem will not only have a very positive impact for Cyprus, but will also be extremely useful in the context of the very difficult situation in the region.” He assured Christodoulides: “You can count on my full commitment, with humility, because it is not my job to tell anyone what must be done. But I am here with humility, and with full commitment, to support your efforts.” The meeting with Erhürman In the occupied north, Tufan Erhürman’s office issued a statement on what was said at the start of his meeting with Guterres. According to the statement, Erhürman said at the outset of the meeting that he was pleased to welcome Guterres and his delegation. “I believe you know the strong will of the Turkish Cypriot people for a just and lasting solution. We are doing our best to fulfil our obligations regarding confidence-building measures. Unlike the experiences of 2004 and 2017, this time we are working on a new and realistic methodology that will contribute to achieving our common goal,” he said. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Larnaca developer arrested over €12m fraud claims, lawyer hits back Cyclist, 63, dead after collision with car in Strovolos He wasn’t waiting for any bus António Guterres knows the ABCs of the EU Moni fields sell for €55m in Cyprus’s biggest H1 land deal Irresponsibility that must be punished Communities demand firing range closure following fire, years of problems Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.