A senior European Union diplomat, Johannes Hahn, will visit Cyprus next week. His trip is an important part of ongoing efforts to solve the island's long division. He plans to meet separately with the Greek Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman. His visit happens at the same time as a separate meeting between the two Cypriot leaders and a UN peace envoy.
A Cyprus government spokesperson announced the visit. He said it was a "fortunate coincidence" that the EU and UN meetings are happening together. This could help the peace process. This is Hahn's second visit to Cyprus since he started his job in May.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The north is run by Turkish Cypriots and is only recognized by Türkiye. The south is the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus. The UN has led many failed peace talks over the years. The EU's role is to support these UN efforts, not replace them. On his last visit, the Cypriot president told Hahn, "We count on your support... to resume negotiations."
Hahn's meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader is especially important. The previous leader refused to meet the EU representative, so this new meeting is a positive step. It keeps communication open between Brussels and the Turkish Cypriot community.
Experts believe Hahn's visit has several goals. It shows the EU wants a stable, united Cyprus. It also gives the EU direct information and allows him to encourage both sides privately. Working with the UN is key so both groups give the same message.
Next week's meetings are not formal peace talks. However, they will test if real negotiations can start again. People will watch carefully to see if both sides are flexible. The international community hopes this combined EU and UN action will bring new energy to the stalled peace process.