UN Representative Meets with Leaders of Both Cypriot Communities

Colin Stewart, the UN Special Representative for Cyprus, met with the leaders of both Cypriot communities: Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.

The meeting with Tatar, the head of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), began at 3:00 PM at the Presidential Administration building.

Ersin Tatar was accompanied by several key figures, including President’s special representative Güneş Onar, legal advisor Sülen Karabacak, coordinator for confidence-building measures and bilateral committees Senihat Birand Çınar, and special advisor for international relations and diplomacy Hüseyin Işıksal. Colin Stewart was accompanied by the UN team.

After the meeting, Stewart expressed his optimism, saying, “This is the best opportunity since 2017 to create positive momentum on key issues that concern the public.” Among these issues was the possibility of opening new crossing points between the two parts of Cyprus.

Ersin Tatar highlighted the importance of resolving the issue with the road in Pyla, an area that has long been a point of contention.

The discussion also included the results of a trilateral dinner with both community leaders and the UN Secretary-General, which was held in mid-October in New York.

Stewart mentioned that while the date for the next meeting, which will include the guarantor countries—Turkey and Greece—has not yet been set, preparations are underway.

“We want to carry out preliminary work to ensure the best possible conditions for the upcoming meeting. I believe everyone will agree on its importance, and I’m pleased that significant efforts are ahead,” said Stewart.

Earlier in the day, Stewart also met with President Nikos Christodoulides.

Following their meeting, the government spokesperson for the Republic of Cyprus, Konstantinos Letimbiotis, stated that the two sides also discussed starting negotiations on the Cyprus issue and the potential opening of new border gates.

Christodoulides informed Stewart that he is prepared to discuss the opening of new crossing points with Tatar.

Additionally, it is worth noting that on January 16, Colin Stewart will travel to New York to attend a UN Security Council meeting. During this session, he will brief the Council on the latest developments in Cyprus and present a report on the situation on the island.