Christodoulides: UN General Assembly to Be a Critical Turning Point for Cyprus Issue

Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides made statements on the Cyprus issue following a memorial ceremony yesterday.

Politis reported under the headline “Turning Point at the General Assembly in New York” that the UN General Assembly in New York would constitute a new informal turning point for the Cyprus issue, with the aim of making progress and paving the way for a new five-party meeting.

The newspaper also noted that Christodoulides was maintaining a cautiously optimistic stance on the direction of the Cyprus issue ahead of his meeting with President Tufan Erhürman on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the newspaper said Holguin’s return to Cyprus was expected to intensify diplomatic efforts ahead of the UN General Assembly, with the aim of achieving certain results that could make it possible to convene a new five-party meeting.

Christodoulides said Holguin would be on the island towards the end of the first week of September in order to facilitate intensive consultations and help establish results and facts.

He said that during the week of the UN General Assembly, when the two leaders would separately meet with the UN Secretary-General, there would be an informal turning point ahead of them.

Christodoulides reiterated that they were fully prepared for an expanded meeting should the UN Secretary-General consider one necessary, arguing that the sole purpose of everything they were doing was to resume negotiations from where they had left off.

He also argued that the Greek Cypriot side had an obligation to do everything possible to produce results and that any possible failure would not be attributable to the Greek Cypriot side.

Christodoulides also referred to the first meeting he held with President Erhürman last week on the substance of the Cyprus issue, methodology and confidence-building measures (CBMs).

Saying that he believed the first meeting with Erhürman had been a good one, Christodoulides said Holguin’s arrival and work by the UN on areas of convergence would contribute to the efforts.

He added that Holguin’s contacts with the guarantor powers would also help, noting that he was referring particularly to Turkey.

Asked whether an agreement could be reached on the opening of crossing points, the newspaper said Christodoulides appeared to lower expectations. He said they were ready for CBMs that would strengthen efforts toward resolving the Cyprus issue and reunifying the island, but not for measures that would normalise the “current illegal situation.”

Referring specifically to four crossing points, Christodoulides said these had first been discussed with the UN Secretary-General in Geneva on March 18, 2025. He claimed that his side had accepted what the UN Secretary-General had described, during his recent visit to Cyprus, as a reasonable and conciliatory proposal.

Christodoulides acknowledged that no result had been reached by the end of the day but said efforts would continue.

“Activities Are Underway Over FIR Violations”

According to a report in Alithia, Christodoulides also said yesterday that activities were being carried out, particularly at the European level, over alleged violations of the Nicosia FIR by Turkish aircraft.

Asked to comment on the reactions of air traffic controllers in the Greek Cypriot side and the EU, Christodoulides argued that the Greek Cypriot administration controlled a large FIR and a large area through its area control centre.

Referring to air traffic controllers, he said their responsibilities had increased and that they continued to respond professionally despite provocations, stressing that the issue concerned not only the Greek Cypriot administration but also flight safety and many European citizens.

Christodoulides’ statements were also reported by Fileleftheros under the headline “President: CBMs Strengthening the Reunification of the Homeland,” by Haravgi as “Critical Week on Cyprus Issue with Aim of Substantive Progress,” and by Alithia as “Christodoulides Refers to CBMs That Consolidate the Current Situation – According to Christodoulides, Crossing Points Normalise Division.”