UN Seeks to Revive Cyprus Talks as Greece and Turkey Pursue Diplomacy

09:47 30/1/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

The United Nations is pushing to restart stalled reunification talks on Cyprus, with plans for an informal five-party summit in Geneva this March.

The meeting, confirmed by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, will bring together Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders along with representatives from Greece, Turkey,

and the United Kingdom.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is spearheading the initiative, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo will soon visit Cyprus to lay the groundwork for the summit.

Ms. DiCarlo is expected to meet separately with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

The push for renewed talks comes amid a broader effort to ease tensions between Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Christodoulides recently proposed an eight-point plan to address issues like border crossings, a move welcomed by Mr. Guterres. Greece and Turkey are also preparing for their 6th High-Level Cooperation Council, expected to be held in Ankara in mid-March.

Mr. Gerapetritis emphasized that improving Greek-Turkish relations has created a more conducive environment for negotiations on the Cyprus issue, which remains a top priority for Greek diplomacy.

He also discussed regional security and Greece's role as a non-permanent UN Security Council member with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos.

The upcoming summit represents a renewed opportunity to address the long-standing division of Cyprus and seek a lasting resolution to the conflict.

Stephen Fry Supports Return of Parthenon Sculptures During Athens Visit

British actor and author Stephen Fry added his voice to the growing calls for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures during a visit to Athens this week.

Fry, a well-known philhellene, presented his latest book, "Odyssey," at a special event hosted by Greece's Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization at the Acropolis Museum.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni praised Fry for his longstanding support of the sculptures' return.

"Your advocacy for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures is not just a gesture of friendship but an act of respect for history, art, and humanity’s cultural heritage," Ms. Kefalogianni said, emphasizing that the sculptures' reunification is a matter of global justice.

The event highlighted Greece's commitment to cultural tourism, with Ms. Kefalogianni noting recent progress towards the sculptures' return, such as the repatriation of the Fagan fragment and the Vatican's donation of sculptures.

She thanked Mr. Fry for his unwavering support, calling his work an inspiration that connects the past with the future. Fry's visit and his support for the sculptures' return add to the growing international momentum for the reunification of these iconic artifacts.

By Antonis Telopoulos

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr