EU Commission Head Announces Plans To Intensify Efforts To Reunify Cyprus In 2026

MOSCOW, January 8 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the European Union's plans to intensify efforts to reunify Cyprus in 2026, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"For the European Union, a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement for Cyprus remains an absolute priority. That is why I appointed former Commissioner Johannes Hahn as EU Envoy for Cyprus. And it is why we will do all we can to ensure that the UN-led process succeeds, so that 2026 can bring renewed momentum towards a reunified Cyprus," von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

Cyprus has been de facto divided between the Greek and Turkish communities since 1974, following an armed invasion by Turkiye provoked by a coup in Cyprus and an attempt to annex the island to Greece.

Thirty-seven per cent of the island's territory, where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was proclaimed in 1983, was occupied. Only Turkiye has recognised the TRNC.

UN-mediated talks between the Greek and Turkish communities on the reunification of Cyprus were interrupted after the failure of another round held in the Swiss city of Crans-Montana in 2017. Attempts are currently being made to resume negotiations.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI