President Nikos Christodoulides met members of the Technical Committee on Youth on Thursday, highlighting the body’s role as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of a planned visit by UN Secretary-General António Guterres later this month.
Christodoulides received Greek Cypriot representatives of the bicommunal committee at the Presidential Palace, describing the meeting as “very timely” amid developments on the Cyprus issue and broader efforts to revive stalled negotiations.
“The important work carried out by the Technical Committee on Youth is recognised by all,” he said, noting that both sides had accepted the committee and that the United Nations, the European Union and the government were investing in its work.
The president asked for a briefing on the committee’s activities, including recent trips to Jordan and Brussels, and called for “specific proposals” to strengthen its role that could be formally placed on the negotiating table.
Guterres expected on island
The engagement comes as diplomatic activity gathers pace on the divided island. UN chief António Guterres is expected to visit Cyprus on 27-29 July as part of a regional tour, holding separate and joint meetings with Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
According to diplomatic sources, the UN visit aims to build momentum towards resuming substantive negotiations and to shape a possible five-party conference in September involving the two sides and guarantor powers.
Guterres is also expected to meet negotiators and civil society representatives from both communities, underscoring a second track focused on greater public engagement in the peace process.
The UN chief’s likely visit reflects the importance he places on dialogue and trust-building. While here, the Secretary-General is expected to highlight the significance of building a climate more conducive to progress in peace talks.
The UN push coincides with broader efforts by international actors, including the EU, to support conditions for renewed talks on a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, which has remained unresolved for decades. While here, the Secretary-General is likely to reflect on the importance of dialogue and trust-building, and the significance of building a climate more conducive to progress in peace talks.
The Technical Committee on Youth – one of 13 bicommunal technical committees established under UN auspices – has in recent years sought to foster cooperation between young people from both communities, an area increasingly viewed by the UN as important for sustaining long-term peace efforts.
