The President of Democratic Rally (DISY), Annita Demetriou, sent a letter on Monday to the President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, emphasizing the need to strengthen European support for efforts to resume talks aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue.
According to a DISY press release, in her letter, Demetriou highlighted the importance of the initiatives currently underway under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General and the efforts of his Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, to convene a new informal expanded meeting in the ‘5+1’ format.
DISY President called for the political support of the EPP for the ongoing UN-led process, as well as its mediation and support at the European level for the appointment of a new EU Special Envoy for Cyprus, in order to ensure continuity and strengthen the European Union’s involvement in the process.
As stated in the press release, Demetriou thanked the EPP and its President for their long-standing support for a solution based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council and on European principles and values, as well as for their rejection of Turkey’s position advocating a two-state solution.
The letter was also circulated to all EPP leaders.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced. María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.