Cypriot Leaders Make Progress on Demining and Peace Initiatives
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have agreed to cooperate on demining, environmental initiatives, and youth issues as part of renewed UN-endorsed efforts to advance peace on the divided island.
Published on April 3, 2025
On April 2, 2025, Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar met under United Nations auspices to agree on several confidence-building measures. The two sides committed to demining operations, environmental and climate change initiatives, and discussed setting up a technical committee to address youth issues, along with plans for additional civilian crossing points and a solar farm in the UN-controlled buffer zone.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 conflict following Turkey’s invasion, and despite long-standing disputes over whether future governance should follow a federation or a two-state solution, the renewed dialogue marks a positive step towards reconciliation. These efforts build on recent UN-endorsed progress aiming to revive the stalled peace process that has been in limbo since previous talks collapsed in 2017.