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UN Ready to Facilitate Any Meeting Between Cypriot Leaders at Any Time

Published March 27, 2026, 14:13
UN Ready to Facilitate Any Meeting Between Cypriot Leaders at Any Time

The United Nations is ready to facilitate any meeting between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, at any time, said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Hasim Ndiaye, after a meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. Mr. Ndiaye briefed the President on UNFICYP's operational activities over the past six months and the Force's priorities, such as enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring security in the buffer zone, and restoring support for bicommunal activities. President Christodoulides conveyed the Greek Cypriot side's political will for a resumption of substantial negotiations to Mr. Ndiaye, and a date for a new meeting of the two leaders within April has already been submitted, awaiting a response from the Turkish Cypriot side. Mr. Ndiaye is also expected to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, on Monday. Mr. Ndiaye stressed that UNFICYP has increased its patrols in the buffer zone, especially in sensitive areas, and that ensuring security is its top priority, despite occasional challenges. The Force is striving to ensure that the buffer zone is free from incidents, both for citizens and for the peacekeepers themselves. With its renewed mandate, UNFICYP focuses on operational efficiency, security, support for bicommunal activities, and maintaining its role as a stabilizing presence on the island, contributing to efforts for a political solution.