Cypriot president to meet UN Secretary-General in Brussels

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is traveling to Brussels to attend a European Council summit and meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on March 18 or 19. The discussion will focus on the resumption of negotiations for the Cyprus problem, specifically seeking to restart talks from the 2017 Crans-Montana status based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Prior to the meeting, President Christodoulides will address the European Policy Centre regarding defense and security. He will also participate in a migration-focused session led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which has expanded to include 20 heads of state. The government indicated that the meeting with Guterres signifies active engagement with the issue despite upcoming elections and the Cypriot EU Council presidency. Official sources confirmed that the Greek Cypriot side favors a broadened UN-led meeting to unlock progress. The broader summit is expected to be dominated by regional tensions in the Middle East.