The Cyprus problem – Let us move from words to deeds

 

17 September 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The UN Secretary-General’s position on the Cyprus problem confirms what we have been anxiously pointing out for some time. Despite the momentum of recent months and the public commitments made by the two leaders, the substantive progress required to put the Cyprus problem back on track towards a solution has not been achieved. Despite the commitments made, neither have new Confidence Building Measures (CBM’s) been agreed, nor has the necessary progress been made on the substance of the Cyprus problem.

The question now is what the two leaders will do to ensure, in a short period of time, that will create the preconditions for the next steps, to overcome Turkish intransigence and proceed to convene an expanded conference and resume substantive negotiations.

The completion of the United Nations’ recording of the convergences is an important first step. However, this is not sufficient in itself unless the two leaders agree on a specific roadmap that sets out clear preconditions for building on the negotiation acquis and resuming negotiations with an increased possibilities of a successful outcome.

At a time when the UN Secretary-General is setting out in a clear way what is demanded for the subsequent steps to be taken, prolonging the stalemate and deadlock is not an option. It constitutes a dangerous development for the future of the country. We need to move from words to deeds, from observations to the assumption of initiatives, and from commitments to tangible results.