UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains committed to holding a joint meeting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides on the Cyprus problem, it emerged after a meeting late on Monday with President Nikos Christodoulides at the UN headquarters in New York.

Diplomatic sources talking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) said the scheduling of the meeting depends largely on Guterres’ meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Tuesday.

The sources stressed that Erdogan’s stance is crucial to moving forward, as it has been recognised that the Turkish side has so far been responsible for delays in organising a trilateral meeting, either with Guterres or his special envoy, Maria Angela Holguin.

The responsibility, the sources added, lies with Turkey rather than with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

Erdogan was the third speaker at the general assembly on Tuesday, declaring that the federal model for a solution to the Cyprus problem has “completely lost its validity”, and calling on the international community to recognise the north as an independent country.

He also said Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have consistently “demonstrated a sincere will to bring about a just, permanent, and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.”

The CNA sources further stated that Guterres acknowledged the Greek Cypriot side’s willingness to restart negotiations and its efforts to create a positive atmosphere.

Christodoulides reiterated his readiness to resume negotiations from where they left off and to accept any date the UN Secretary-General deems appropriate for the joint meeting.

He even suggested some specific dates in October and November.

Speaking after the meeting at UN headquarters in New York, Christodoulides said “we had a very constructive discussion.

“We discussed the prospects of resuming negotiations and I thanked the secretary-general, who is politically committed, not only to the resumption of talks, but to the solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed-on framework,” Christodoulides said.

The president referred to everything the government has done in the 18 months since its election, “through specific actions and not wishes, with which we have proved our political will, our readiness to resume talks, utilising the negotiating acquis.”

He added that the UN chief “has undertaken an effort in this direction for some time now, which I hope will be fruitful.

“I reiterate, on our side we are ready at any time,” he said.

During Monday’s meeting, Guterres also praised Cyprus and Christodoulides for their role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He specifically commended Cyprus for the Amalthea initiative and its efforts in establishing a humanitarian sea corridor.

Regarding the Middle East, the President and the UN Secretary-General discussed the developments and the risk of escalation in the region, which both agreed must be avoided.

He also updated the Secretary-General on Cyprus’ preparations for activating the Estia plan if necessary, which would involve organised evacuations of EU citizens and third-country nationals through Cyprus.