Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides affirmed progress in the UN Secretary-General's peace initiative, describing a "window of opportunity" for resolving the Cyprus issue before the end of 2026. Following recent briefings by Antonio Guterres about a discreet new diplomatic effort, the president acknowledged ongoing consultations led by Guterres' envoy Maria Angela Olguin.

However, uncertainty remains regarding Turkey's willingness to embrace a settlement framework aligned with the UN. Turkey continues to insist on a two-state solution, diverging from the internationally supported bizonal, bicommunal federation proposal. Christodoulides underscored that the pivotal role lies with Ankara, which faces EU demands linking customs union upgrades to accepting the UN model.

The president also cautioned against undue optimism, emphasizing the need for realism given the persistent substantive disagreements on guarantees, territory, and governance. He stressed the importance of preparing the Cypriot public for the possibility of another failed attempt, as the final resolution depends heavily on Turkey's political calculation and the UN Secretary-General's diplomatic commitment before his term ends.