Media Reports on Preparations for the 4+1 Format Meeting on the Cyprus Issue

All interested parties have agreed to hold an expanded meeting on the Cyprus issue in the 4+1 format, which will involve Turkey and Greece.

This was announced by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, during the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku.

The Cypriot leader arrived at the climate summit in Azerbaijan the evening before. According to the Cyprus News Agency, prior to the start of the conference, the President had a conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. During their brief discussion, the UN Secretary-General updated the Cypriot leader on the progress made in preparing for the expanded meeting on the Cyprus issue.

Additionally, it was revealed today that the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Peacebuilding, Rosemary DiCarlo, will be visiting the island in the near future.

It was also noted that, on the sidelines of the climate forum, the President of the Republic of Cyprus was photographed while speaking with Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. This was their second meeting in the past week. Their previous conversation took place on November 8, during the European Political Community summit in Budapest

It is important to note that the possibility of a 4+1 meeting, with the participation of the representatives of the guarantor countries, was first mentioned in October, following an informal dinner between the leaders of the two communities on the island in New York.

The specific details of the expanded meeting are still unclear. It is reported that Nikos Christodoulides supports a format that would include the leaders of both communities, as well as all three guarantor countries of Cyprus – Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom – along with the UN. Meanwhile, Ersin Tatar has officially stated his opposition to British participation.