Asked about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, following the conclusions of the last European Council and in view of the German President’s visit to Turkey today, the President of the Republic said that following the German President’s visit to Turkey and María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar’s visit to Paris, Brussels and Berlin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy will pay a visit to Cyprus, during which, he said, two meetings between Holguín and himself have already been scheduled.

“We expect on the basis of the conclusions of the European Council, which link developments in Euro-Turkish relations with progress on the Cyprus issue, to see in practice how things will develop,” he said, adding that the Greek Cypriot side is ready and hopes that there will be developments, noting also that the Greek Cypriot side has a specific plan on how to create positive facts for all and expressed hope that efforts will result in the resumption of talks.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.