In an important step for peace, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will meet this Thursday with a special United Nations representative. This high-level trilateral meeting is a major effort to restart the long-delayed process of reunifying the island of Cyprus. The meeting will happen after the two leaders make a rare joint visit to the laboratories of the Committee on Missing Persons.
The upcoming discussion between President Nicos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman will be led by the UN’s Maria Angela Holguin. This follows a meeting between their negotiators earlier this week, showing that both sides are cautiously committed to finding a solution. The main goal, according to President Christodoulides, is to create a solid plan for a larger, informal peace conference involving five parties, which is now expected in early 2026.
The schedule for Thursday is full of meaning. The leaders' visit to the laboratories, which work to find and identify people who went missing during the 1974 conflict, is a powerful symbol of reconciliation. This shared humanitarian act is meant to create a positive atmosphere for the political talks that will follow. The main trilateral meeting in the afternoon will be a key opportunity for the UN envoy to understand the leaders' positions as she begins her mission to find common ground.
President Christodoulides has publicly stated his strong support for the process. He said the most important outcome should be creating a basis for the larger 2026 conference, and he confirmed, "I am ready for this meeting to happen." This clear statement increases the pressure on the current talks to show real progress.
The President also connected the peace efforts to wider regional security, mentioning the European Union's defence systems. He noted that any non-EU country wanting to join such initiatives needs the full agreement of all EU members. This is seen as a message to Turkey about its role in the region, showing how the Cyprus issue is linked to broader European and Asian security.
While the path to peace is still very difficult, the careful planning behind these meetings provides a reason for cautious hope. Although the main conference has been delayed until 2026, this may allow more time for the necessary preparation. The world will be watching to see if this new dialogue can end the political stalemate and open a new chapter for a united Cyprus.