Developments in the Cyprus issue are expected early in the new year, as announced by President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides. The focus will be on a joint meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to discuss the opening of new crossing points, as well as preparations for a five-party meeting.

As Offsite reports, President Christodoulides revealed that specific dates for the joint meeting were proposed via the United Nations for January, following discussions with Ersin Tatar during a reception hosted by Colin Stewart, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus and head of UNFICYP, to mark the end of the year.

Last Tuesday, addressing Ersin Tatar, President Christodoulides suggested that the joint meeting could proceed without public announcements. Instead, it would serve as an opportunity to review the progress made at the negotiators' level and to provide strategic directions for continuing discussions.

When asked about the timeline for a potential five-party meeting, Christodoulides noted that while no specific date has been set, it is likely to occur by March 2025. Upcoming steps on the Cyprus issue are expected to be outlined during a visit to Cyprus by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. While exact dates for her visit are yet to be confirmed, her trip to the region suggests she may also engage with the guarantor powers.

Meanwhile, Cyprus's Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos will travel to London on December 17, where further coordination on the Cyprus issue is anticipated during his meetings with UK officials.

The visit will include a working breakfast with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, focusing on Cyprus-UK bilateral relations, developments in the Cyprus problem, and the broader Middle East region. Following this, the second Cyprus-UK Strategic Dialogue will take place, with expanded delegations from both nations participating.

During his stay, Kombos will also address the Cypriot diaspora at an event scheduled for the same evening.