Cyprus President Readies Expanded Talks Amid UN General Assembly, Rejects Delay

President Nikos Christodoulides met Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Thursday at the UN offices in Nicosia, describing the session as a "good discussion on confidence‑building measures, methodology and substance." Christodoulides said he would bring 19 specific points to the table and is prepared to participate in an expanded conference on the Cyprus problem whenever UN Secretary‑General António Guterres deems it appropriate. He will brief Guterres and meet UN Under‑Secretary‑General Rosemary DiCarlo during the General Assembly in New York, which starts on September 28. Christodoulides rejected the suggestion that Guterres’ decision to forego a 3+1 or 5+1 meeting during the Assembly limits his negotiating position, noting that the Republic can meet in New York or later in October or Geneva if political will exists. He also clarified that mixed‑marriage citizenship applications are treated under the same rules as all other applicants, subject to EU oversight. The UN remains committed to progress, but no expanded conference has been scheduled yet.