**NICOSIA** – Hopes for a breakthrough in the protracted Cyprus problem have been significantly dampened following a tripartite meeting that underscored a deepening stalemate, prompting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to express profound concern. The UN envoy tasked with facilitating dialogue, Maria Angela Holguin, has firmly stated that no further enlarged UN gatherings will be convened until concrete progress is demonstrated on confidence-building measures (CBMs) designed to ease intercommunal relations.
The latest round of discussions, held at the residence of the UN's Special Representative near Nicosia airport, failed to yield the anticipated momentum. President Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot leader, has put forth a five-point initiative aimed at revitalising negotiations and introducing CBMs. This proposal includes a call for a meeting between chief negotiators Menelaos Menelaou and Mehmet Dana within the fortnight to chart a course for resuming substantive talks. Christodoulides also indicated a willingness to unilaterally implement additional measures beneficial to the Turkish Cypriot community.
However, the core of the impasse lies in the sequencing of these crucial steps. The Turkish Cypriot leadership, represented by Tufan Erhurman, maintains that trust-building activities must precede any formal resumption of negotiations for the reunification of the island. Conversely, the Greek Cypriot side appears to favour agreement on the methodology for recommencing talks at an enlarged meeting, with CBMs, such as the opening of new crossing points – a subject that has seen theoretical agreement but practical obstruction – to follow. This divergence has led to a standstill, with even seemingly straightforward issues proving intractable.
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres, in a statement issued on Wednesday evening, articulated his deep disquietude regarding the lack of headway. He underscored the imperative for CBMs to genuinely improve the daily lives of both communities. In a clear directive to his envoy, Guterres has stipulated that any broader UN-convened meetings, which have been on hold since last year, will remain postponed indefinitely unless tangible improvements in CBMs are evident. Holguin echoed this sentiment, asserting that the current focus must be on delivering results on these measures before any larger-scale discussions can be contemplated.
The Turkish public broadcaster TRT reported on the discussions, highlighting the differing perspectives on the path forward. While Holguin acknowledged the slow pace, she maintained that dialogue persists, with expectations that work on specific issues like halloumi cheese certification and road infrastructure will see advancements. Yet, the broader sentiment among observers is one of deepening stagnation, with the inability to resolve basic points reinforcing the perception of the process as a potentially fruitless endeavour. The joint statement from December 2025, referencing a potential expanded conference in July concerning crossing points, now seems a distant prospect in the face of present challenges. The current predicament marks a significant setback, potentially prolonging the division of the island and the suffering of its people.