Diplomat Fidan to participate in an off-the-cuff gathering regarding Cyprus in New York City
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is hosting an informal 5+1 meeting on Cyprus at the UN headquarters in New York on July 16-17, 2025. The meeting, which includes the leaders of both Turkish and Greek Cyprus, foreign ministers from Greece and Turkey, and the UK Minister of State for Europe, aims to continue the dialogue and exchange views on progress since the last informal meeting held in Geneva in March 2025.
The 5+1 format, which includes the two Cypriot leaders (Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar), the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, and the UK Minister of State for Europe, with Guterres acting as the mediator, serves as a continuation of ongoing dialogue aimed at advancing the Cyprus peace process.
The goals of the meeting are manifold. They include continuing the dialogue, building upon confidence-building measures (CBMs) that have been initiated, engaging in honest and constructive talks aimed at practical cooperation between the two sides, addressing ongoing disagreements, and fostering genuine cooperation. The meeting’s informal nature aims to foster genuine cooperation and create a conducive environment for progress in the overall peace process.
Expected outcomes of the meeting include strengthened commitment from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaderships to dialogue and confidence-building, reinforcement of the practical implementation of previously agreed CBMs, enhanced engagement of the guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, UK), setting the groundwork for future formal negotiations by enhancing trust and cooperation between the two communities, and the launching of new initiatives, especially related to youth, cultural heritage, environmental, and climate change concerns.
Notably, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar emphasized a constructive approach focused on practical cooperation and respect for sovereign equality, signaling an intent to engage earnestly but cautiously. The meeting will include bilateral talks as well as plenary sessions to ensure wide-ranging discussion and mutual understanding.
The meeting culminates in a plenary session and working lunch on July 17, making it a high-level dialogue stepping stone toward advancing Cyprus peace efforts under UN auspices. The first meeting in this format took place in Geneva in March, where six main topics were discussed: opening new crossings, clearing mines, climate and environmental change, solar energy production, restoration of cemeteries, and cooperation between the youth.
Improvements were recorded in cooperation in climate and environmental changes, restoration of cemeteries, and youth matters. The New York meetings will start with a dinner hosted by Guterres on July 16 at the UN premises. U.K. Minister of State for Europe and North America Stephen Doughty will attend the meeting, and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Turkey will also be present.
Significantly, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials advocate for a two-state solution in Cyprus talks. On July 17, the parties will hold bilateral meetings before convening in the 5+1 format. The meeting will be held on July 16 and 17, and both Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot President Nikos Hristodoulidis will attend.
The expanded informal meetings do not constitute the continuation of the past negotiations or the resumption of a new process. No progress was observed in the remaining issues due to Greek Cyprus' rejections. Nevertheless, the ongoing dialogue offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Cyprus conflict.
The 5+1 meeting, which includes the two Cypriot leaders, foreign ministers from Greece, Turkey, and the UK, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the mediator, serves as a platform for discussing general-news topics such as Cyprus peace efforts and politics.
The meeting aims to foster an environment conducive to advancements in the Cyprus peace process and deliberate on practical cooperation, confidence-building measures, ongoing disagreements, and the launching of new initiatives related to youth, cultural heritage, environmental, and climate change concerns, which all fall under the umbrella of general-news topics.
