Switzerland is hosting UN-backed informal Cyprus peace talks. The discussions aim to explore potential steps toward resolving the island’s division between the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has remained separated since 1974. In addition to its partition, significant areas of the island remain under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, which retains control over two sovereign military bases: Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is holding bilateral meetings in Geneva with Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, and officials from Türkiye, Greece, and the UK. Confidence-building measures, such as opening new crossing points, are under discussion, though disagreements remain over specifics.
Traditionally, the Republic of Cyprus supports the idea of reunifying the island as a federation made up of two zones and two communities, following United Nations resolutions. On the other hand, the Turkish Cypriot side calls for the creation of two separate states with equal international status. The Turkish Cypriots say they will only start official negotiations if their sovereignty is formally recognized.