FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Despite renewed diplomatic efforts in New York, the Cyprus peace process remains stalled, with Greek Cypriot media describing it as “on a respirator” until autumn.
The weekly Kathimerini led with the headline “Cyprus Issue on Respirator Until Autumn,” underscoring the persistent gulf between the two sides. Even basic Confidence-Building Measures—such as opening new crossing points agreed in Geneva—failed to materialize.
Sources familiar with the trilateral meeting between UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides suggested that no breakthrough is expected before a new informal summit in November.
In a separate article titled “EU Only Present in the Cyprus Problem, But Not in Practice,” Kathimerini criticized Brussels for maintaining a balancing act between Cyprus and Turkey.
While the EU offers verbal support for a UN-backed solution, it continues to deepen defense and diplomatic ties with Ankara. The paper argued that this dual-track approach has allowed the EU to “establish a balance” without taking concrete steps to pressure Turkey.
President Christodoulides received public backing from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who reiterated support for a solution based on UN Security Council resolutions. However, the EU’s special envoy Johannes Hahn did not attend the New York meeting, and Brussels stopped short of linking progress on Cyprus to broader EU-Turkey relations.
Alithia was more scathing, calling the New York meeting “a disaster” for the Greek Cypriot side. The paper claimed that Tatar had succeeded in normalizing division under the guise of cooperation, while the Greek Cypriot administration accepted the status quo as a positive outcome.
Messages of support came from abroad. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the UN-led talks and urged Guterres to resume negotiations aimed at a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. Christodoulides responded warmly, calling France’s support “invaluable.”
The US Embassy in Cyprus also issued a statement backing the UN and EU’s efforts, though it tempered expectations, saying, “We do not anticipate any further progress to improve the daily lives of Cypriots.” The embassy reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to reunification under UN parameters.
Fileleftheros summed up the mood with its headline: “They Keep the Cyprus Problem on a Respirator… No One Wanted a Solution in New York.”