**Preparatory Work for Informal Five-Party Meeting on Cyprus Problem Underway**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Preparatory efforts for an informal five-party conference aimed at addressing the longstanding Cyprus issue commenced on Friday, as announced by President Nikos Christodoulides on Saturday evening. The discussions are being facilitated in collaboration with the United Nations and are set to continue throughout August at a technocratic level.
In a statement regarding the steps necessary to organize the upcoming meeting, President Christodoulides highlighted the productive dialogue he had with Raffaelo Fitto, the European Union envoy for Cyprus. The president noted that his discussions with Fitto, which included a follow-up conversation later that evening, were fruitful and focused on the preparatory work required for the conference.
The UN has engaged an academic constitutional expert who has previously participated in negotiations related to the Cyprus problem. This move is seen as a strategic step towards ensuring a well-informed and structured approach to the upcoming discussions.
During his remarks, President Christodoulides expressed optimism about the ongoing preparations, particularly emphasizing the significance of the UN Secretary-General’s recent acknowledgment of existing convergences in the discussions. He described this recognition as a positive development in the context of the Cyprus negotiations.
To further engage with political leaders on the matter, Christodoulides has scheduled a meeting of the National Council for Monday. The purpose of this gathering is to brief party leaders on the current status of the discussions and the next steps in the negotiation process.
In his discussions with Fitto, the president underscored the EU’s role, clarifying that while the EU's involvement does not pertain to the content of the solution, it can serve as a stabilizing factor in areas where differing opinions exist. The dialogue also touched on the relationship between the EU and Turkey, with Christodoulides indicating that specific proposals and recommendations were conveyed during their talks.
The urgency of the situation has been emphasized by the president, who stated, “we are doing everything we can to take advantage of the critical moment in the Cyprus issue.” This sentiment reflects a broader recognition of the geopolitical implications surrounding the Cyprus problem.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who recently visited Cyprus, has indicated his intention to convene a broader meeting if certain conditions are met, although no specific timeline has been provided. His visit aimed to secure consensus among both sides of the Cyprus divide and the guarantor powers, which include Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
As the preparatory work progresses, all parties involved are hopeful that the upcoming informal five-party conference will create an opportunity to advance discussions on the resolution of the Cyprus issue, which has persisted for decades.
The situation remains dynamic, and the outcomes of the preparatory meetings and the subsequent conference will be closely monitored by stakeholders both within Cyprus and internationally.