The European Union fully backs the UN-led process for Cyprus and the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy, EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas told the press Wednesday, following a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos in Nicosia.
This is her first official visit to Cyprus, in view of the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, the first half of 2026.
At a joint press conference with Kombos, Kallas also spoke about the EU-Turkey relations, as well as of the role of Cyprus as a neighboring EU member-state to the Middle East. She also mentioned that the meeting focused on Ukraine, as well, reaffirming that it ‘remains high on our agenda so long as the Russian war against Ukraine shows no signs of ending.’
Regarding the Cyprus problem, Kallas said that it is ‘a core matter for the European Union-Turkey relations and for the stability and security of the Eastern Mediterranean.’
She reaffirmed EU’s support in UN-led process for the resumption of discussions for a solution, adding that ‘it is neither Turkey nor the EU that will govern the island of Cyprus in the future. It is the people of Cyprus, the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, who must live together and find solutions to common challenges’.
She also went on to say that ‘both communities need a sustainable solution.’
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 is expected later this year.
María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties, while former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, designated by the Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, is also expected to contribute to the settlement process, in cooperation with Holguín.
‘We have positive engagement with Turkey in areas of common interest,’ Kallas noted, referring to a broader discussion on Turkey during the meeting, and added that ‘Turkey remains a key partner of the European Union and a significant regional actor.’
‘I am confident that our cooperation will continue to strengthen Europe’s stability and security,’ she continued, noting that Turkey’s EU accession process has frozen since 2018, due to the deterioration of democratic standards, judicial independence, and fundamental rights.
Responding to a press question on whether Turkey could be a part of EU’s defense architecture, especially after the issues raised in European Commission’s latest report on Turkey, she noted that ‘we are trying to boost our own defense industry, but at the same time all the member states are increasing their spending and when the defense industry is not ready that means also that some of the components have to be procured outside.’
‘We also have worries with the way Turkey is operating in many of the fields that the concerns of member states have, so these are all taken into account,’ she pointed out.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Kallas noted that ‘Cyprus is the closest we can get to Gaza from the European Union, just an hour away’ and added that ‘the stability of Gaza is essential to Cyprus as well as it is for Europe.’
She mentioned that the EU is still the main financial contributor in aid delivery and thanked Cyprus for its efforts in delivering aid through the maritime corridor.
‘This is a clear example how the European Union and the member states can build on each other’s added value,’ she said. ‘The EU has also been a consistent supporter of the Palestinian Authority, keeping the prospect of a two-state solution alive,’ Kallas added.
She also spoke of EU’s involvement in preparations for reconstruction in Gaza. Responding to a question on whether the EU has adopted Cyprus’ proposal on the basis of Trump’s plan for Gaza, Kallas said that immediately after Trump’s plan was presented, the Commission worked on it to put in EU’s contribution in terms of humanitarian aid. She said that they are looking into whether the mandate of the two EU missions in the area can be extended.
‘A lot of points were really the same as Cyprus plan, so this is also something that we have been discussing and seeing what more can we do,’ Kallas said. She stressed that the main question now is having a sustainable peace and the day after.
The discussion also included the topic of Syria, Kallas said. ‘The coming year will be important to consolidate support to the country and ensure stability in the region. I know that this is also an important topic for Cyprus, and I will ensure it stays high on the agenda, including for our discussions among the foreign ministers,’ she noted.
In regards with Ukraine, she said that ‘the European Union is already Ukraine’s largest supporter’ and added that ‘to push Russia back, Europe must continue to step up.’ She explained that the new sanctions package adopted just two weeks ago targets key sectors, including energy, finance, the military, industrial base.
Kombos on his part said that the meeting focused on the priorities as regards the EU Cyprus Presidency in 2026, which is going to be a result of close coordination with the EU institutions, as he noted.
On Ukraine, he said ‘we expressed, once again, our full solidarity and our steadfast support in our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine’ and added that ‘this is a form of principle in our compass, and Cyprus’ own experience with the oppression, the repression, the continual occupation by Turkey for 51 years dictates this approach.’
He also said that the accession path is also a very strong component for the resilience and future security of Ukraine. ‘Your approach in relation to Ukraine is an example of leadership, and it’s a leadership that cannot and does not have a double standard,’ Kombos said, addressing Kallas.
Regarding the accession of Turkey, Kombos said that ‘the EU-Turkey relation is full of potential’ and that ‘there are so many choices that have been created and available to Turkey.’
‘The choices exist, but Turkey needs to make a decision’ he continued, explaining that ‘the decision of Turkey needs to make in relation to its future relationship with the EU, is one that passes necessarily through Cyprus.’ Kombos noted that this relates to yesterday’s report in relation to EU’s enlargement.
‘We will continue our approach in relation to negotiations on the basis of the UN Security Council. This is the only possible basis for the resolution of the Cyprus,’ he said.
FM also referred to the issue of the illegal arrest, last July, of five Greek Cypriots by the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey. ‘We are asking for EU support in applying the necessary pressure,’ he said.
Five Greek Cypriots were ‘arrested’ on July 19 in the Turkish-occupied village of Trikomo, in the northern part of Cyprus, while visiting their properties and were charged with ‘illegal entry’ and other charges. Although released from detention, they continue to be subjected to multiple ‘court sessions’, even as some were reported to suffer from health issues.
Some charges have been dropped but they are not allowed to leave the island’s Turkish-occupied areas pending ‘trial’. The Cyprus government and the European Parliament condemned the arrests, calling for the immediate release of the five, while a European Commission spokesperson said the EU ‘does not recognise the self-proclaimed state in the northern part of Cyprus and its so-called judicial system.’
In relation to Gaza, Kombos said that ‘we need to work to make this plan realistic and secure’ adding that ‘the EU needs to be actively involved in this, needs to be present, and the EU should not be seen as merely a financier of all that.’
Cyprus has its own approach, based on its own capacities and capabilities, in relation to the humanitarian front, in relation to reconstruction, and also in relation to security,’ he continued.
‘Our contacts, network, and efforts are at the disposal of the European Union to carry out this plan personally,’ he noted and mentioned that two days ago, a vessel from Cyprus with 1000 tons of aid or Gaza reached Ashdod port.
‘Finally, in relation to Syria, we agree that we need to do a lot more to ensure the recovery and support the recovery for the Syrian people,’ Kombos concluded, reaffirming Cyprus’ willingness to contribute in every way possible.
Visitors’ Book
—-
Kallas wrote in her note in the visitors’ book at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Cyprus takes over the Council Presidency at a crucial time for Europe. ‘We are counting on you to keep us moving forward as a Union, while we tackle urgent challenges,’ she wrote. ‘Looking forward to working together. We have a lot to do,’ she wrote.