Press Conference: António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) following his meeting with Leaders (Cyprus)

Very good afternoon. This is probably the biggest number of microphones I've ever seen.

Good morning, good afternoon. This is the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as you all well know. He'll give a few remarks and then we'll take a number of questions. Thank you. Please go ahead, sir.

Good afternoon to all of you, distinguished members of the media. I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for the warm welcome I have received from all Cypriots during my first visit here. Cyprus is an island of remarkable history, rich culture and enduring resilience. It is also a place where the beauty and potential of the present coexist with the scars of a painful past. During my visit, I've seen both.

Thank you.

But above all, I have witnessed a deep desire among Cypriots to build a more peaceful and shared future. As Secretary-General, from the earliest days of my mandate, acting in line with United Nations parameters, I have sought through my good offices to assist Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to reach a comprehensive, sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue. The United Nations has consistently worked towards this objective. We met in Geneva and in Cras Montana in 2017, in Berlin in 2019, in Geneva in 2021, and again in New York and Geneva in 2024 and 2025. In this context, it was my duty to come to Cyprus to express my full solidarity with the people of Cyprus in their quest for a solution. This is the moment when all efforts must be made to rebuild trust. To that end, it is essential to redouble efforts to define and implement confidence-building measures that can make a difference in the daily lives of all Cypriots. I appeal to the 2 leaders to intensify these efforts. My personal envoy, Ms. Maria Angela Olgin, has been working with the parties, building on past UN efforts and what she has heard directly from Cypriots themselves. Throughout this visit, I also had the opportunity to hear from many Cypriots. Their message was clear: they want progress. They want to see their leaders make compromises and to walk that last mile towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue. They want a future in which this island is defined not by division, but by cooperation, opportunity and peace. That was also the spirit of my frank and constructive discussions with the 2 leaders both separately and together. Both Mr. Erhurman and Mr. Christodoulides assured me of their determination to continue to work in earnest with my Personal Envoy. Based on our discussions on the way forward, I decided that I would convene another 5+1 meeting, after adequate preparations on confidence-building, methodology and substance, taking into account the convergences already achieved. We will work in consultation with the 2 sides and the guarantors to create the conditions for the meeting's success. In relation to the situation on the ground, I would like to emphasize the need to respect the mandate authority of the UN peacekeeping operations in Cyprus, UNFICYP, both in the buffer zone and in the UN-delineated ceasefire lines. For more than 6 decades, UNFICYP has helped maintain calm and stability in a sensitive environment. Its continued effectiveness depends on the cooperation of all sides. I was impressed by the work of the Committee on Missing Persons and the remarkable bi-communal efforts to respond to the anxiety of the families of all missing persons. I was equally impressed by the work of the bi-communal technical committees that are bridging the gap between the political track and everyday citizens and finding practical solutions. And I had the opportunity to engage constructively with members of the civil society. The international community has also an important role to play on the Cyprus issue. In particular, I count on the continued support of the 3 guarantors— Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Finally, I wish to once again recognize the significant contributions of the UN staff, of UN Tvisip, and my Mission of Good Offices. They are all playing critical roles in advancing peace and stability, and the prospects of a peaceful solution. I was pleased to convey my gratitude to them in person during my stay here. The United Nations cannot impose peace. But let me be very clear: the United Nations remains fully committed to supporting the people of Cyprus in this crucial moment for the island and wider region. Thank you.

Thank you very much, sir. We're going to take questions, but please keep it limited to one question each. Ask your question slowly and clearly. And let's start with that side. Yes, sir, please go ahead. One second.

Hello, given your steadfast commitment to the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the UN framework, as you have Do you have considered the convening of a new expanded meeting to be a substantive step towards the resumption of the process? And what do you see as the role of the guarantor powers in these efforts? And if we have a deadline for the 5+1 meeting?

I have to say that I have the consensus of both sides and the guarantors to move into a 5+1 meeting, but with adequate preparation— preparation on confidence-building, preparation methodology, and preparation on substance— because I don't want to have more 5+1 meetings without results. I want a successful 5+1 meeting in order to pave the way for a solution to be achieved.

About the deadline?

It was not defined, the deadline. We are going to work together as fast and as effectively as possible.

Thank you. Let's move to this side, yes, please. Go ahead.

Mr. Secretary General, you say that methodological and Substantive work will continue for a new conference. How should we interpret this? Can we expect any new initiative at the regular UN meetings in September in light of these efforts?

There is not a meeting on Cyprus scheduled for the High-Level Week. We are now concentrating our efforts in our common work with the 2 sides in Cyprus and with the guarantors in order to be able to move decisively into a solution. Thank you.

We probably have room for one more question, and after that I'd please ask you to remain Thank you very much.

Mr. Guterres, nothing is in isolation, operates in isolation in our part of the world now. As you mentioned yesterday in your remarks, everything is interconnected. And I just wanted to ask, you know, of course the benefits of a Cyprus solution are obviously Cypriot, but what would be the importance What would a solution be for the region, for the wider region, for the guarantors, for our neighbors to the east even? What would a solution bring in the grand scheme of things?

This is a region in which we are witnessing important geopolitical movements, a region where we see a number of conflicts that persist not to end. And the region where we have seen how conflicts can be enlarged. And so I do believe that a solution in Cyprus is absolutely crucial, not only to preserve the interests and the peace of the Cyprus people, but also as a factor of stability in what is becoming a dangerously insta— unstable region. And I strongly suppose that a successful outcome in relation to a solution in Cyprus will have an important stabilizing effect in the region. On the other hand, if Cyprus has no solution for its problems, it becomes much more vulnerable to the risks that we are now witnessing in a region that is largely in flames.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

We really apologize, but we have to move. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much.