AKEL on the UN Secretary-General’s Reports on his good offices and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)

 

8 January 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The UN Secretary-General’s Reports reflect the critical juncture at which the Cyprus problem currently finds itself. After a prolonged period of stagnation (surrounding the Cyprus problem), “the longest period without any active negotiations in the history of the peace procedure in Cyprus,” as the UN Secretary-General himself points out, there is an “emerging dynamic.” Although encouraging, this momentum is still in its early stages, with both sides being called upon to take further steps and build a genuine climate of trust. This is precisely what AKEL is seeking.

Without underestimating the role of Ankara, we expect the two leaders to take initiatives that demonstrate their commitment to resuming the negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted in 2017 (at Crans Montana), with full respect for the acquis of convergences that have been agreed so far and the Guterres Framework.

The rejection of a two-state solution as expressed in the Turkish Cypriot verdict and the agreement of the two leaders to resolve the Cyprus problem with political equality, as described in the UN Security Council resolutions, which A. Guterres rightly emphasizes, are important developments that must be followed up. This should be done through constructive approaches in the field of substantive dialogue as well as in relation to broader issues that can create positive incentives, such as AKEL’s proposal on energy.

At the same time, this should also be done by giving impetus — as the Secretary-General is also seeking from the two leaders — to the implementation of all the agreed confidence-building measures, including the opening of new crossing points without any further delay. If the necessary political will exists, then we can soon cover the last mile, as the UN Secretary-General himself pointed out in his previous Report.

We are particularly concerned about the Secretary-General’s findings regarding the violations noted in the (UN-administered) buffer zone and the ongoing upgrading of military installations, which affect the military status quo in the area and undermine the broader peace process. At the same time, we welcome his clear references to Varosha and his call for the full implementation of the relevant resolutions.

The coming months are likely to be decisive with regards the effort to resume the negotiations and the prospect of solving the Cyprus problem.

Therefore, we must all — and first and foremost the President of the Republic — be aware of the weight of our responsibilities, the consequences stemming from our choices and policies, especially in the new anarchic international environment that is taking shape.

For AKEL, there is no other alternative but to remain at the forefront of the effort to liberate and reunify our homeland and people.