Philenews

Is a Normal State for Cyprus Still a Goal?

Published December 30, 2025, 09:16
Is a Normal State for Cyprus Still a Goal?

Former Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, in a revealing intervention, presents evidence highlighting the responsibilities for the failure of negotiations at the Crans-Montana talks in 2017. Kotzias describes a crucial dinner where Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reneged on his previous commitments to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the abolition of guarantees and the withdrawal of Turkish troops. Guterres, realizing the breach of promise, was forced to halt the negotiations. Kotzias emphasizes that the fundamental prerequisite for a solution is the creation of a normal state in Cyprus, a member of the UN and the EU, without Turkish guardianship. This issue must be prioritized in any new negotiation. The question is raised whether there is still a willingness to pursue such a solution, given the insistence of some to blame only the Greek Cypriot side and the readiness of others to accept a continued Turkish presence on the island.