UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described discussions between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as "constructive" following a meeting he convened Thursday at the UN headquarters.
Guterres said he had proposed the meeting in March to foster constructive dialogue.
The talks were attended by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, as well as the foreign ministers of Greece and Türkiye, and Britain's minister of state for Europe, North America, and Overseas Territories -- representing Cyprus's guarantor powers.
The UN chief reported that the two leaders reviewed progress on six trust-building initiatives agreed upon in March, with four already achieved: the establishment of a technical committee on youth, environmental and climate change initiatives, the restoration of cemeteries, and a pending agreement on demining, pending final technical details.
Discussions will continue on the remaining two initiatives: the opening of four crossing points and solar energy projects in the buffer zone, he said.
Additionally, the leaders reached a common understanding on forming a consultative body for civil society engagement, exchanging cultural artifacts, launching an air quality monitoring initiative, and addressing microplastic pollution.
Guterres said both sides agreed to hold a joint meeting during the UN General Assembly's high-level week in September, followed by another informal meeting in the current format later this year.
"It is critical to implement these initiatives -- all of them -- as soon as possible for the benefit of all Cypriots," Guterres said.
Acknowledging that "there's a long road ahead," the UN chief added, "these steps clearly demonstrate a commitment to continuing dialogue on the way forward and advancing initiatives that benefit all Cypriots." ■
