An informal working dinner hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres took place yesterday in Geneva, bringing together the parties participating in the extended informal meeting on Cyprus. The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, attended the dinner, accompanied by Negotiator Menelaos Menelaou.

Also present were Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty, and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

Following the dinner, which was held at a hotel in Geneva, a meeting of the National Council took place under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic.

After the National Council meeting, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis briefed journalists, stating: “The President of the Republic has concluded the National Council briefing regarding the dinner. It was primarily a social gathering aimed at facilitating the exchange of views ahead of tomorrow’s significant bilateral meetings in the morning, followed by the plenary session.”

Today at 9:40 AM (10:40 AM Cyprus time), President Christodoulides will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Minister for Europe. At 10:45 AM, he is scheduled to meet with the UN Secretary-General before the plenary session begins at the UN headquarters.

Following the National Council meeting, President Christodoulides had a phone conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He then spoke with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Both reaffirmed the European Union’s support for efforts to resume negotiations under the UN framework.

In this context, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission jointly sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, with copies sent to President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. This letter, initiated by the Republic of Cyprus, is considered by the government a highly significant move both in terms of timing and content.

The letter reaffirms the EU’s commitment to Cyprus’s reunification within the UN framework, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles and values of the EU.

It also expresses the EU’s hope that the multilateral conference will lead to further progress and pave the way for the resumption of negotiations from where they left off. The EU reiterates its readiness to play an active role and intensify its efforts to support the UN-led process.

Today’s meetings will continue with both the President’s bilateral talks and the plenary session. The Cypriot delegation will participate with constructive proposals and a determined political will to contribute to the UN Secretary-General’s efforts in generating momentum.

When asked about President Christodoulides’ brief interaction with the Turkish Foreign Minister after the dinner, the Spokesperson clarified that it was a short, social exchange. He further noted that the President’s brief stay in the dinner hall with the Turkish Foreign Minister was purely social in nature and did not involve any substantive discussion.

The DigitalTree News Team is in Geneva, covering developments before and after the dinner as part of the multilateral conference.