Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis on Wednesday spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss the Cyprus problem, among other matters.

Greece’s foreign ministry said the discussion had focused on the Cyprus problem as well as recent developments in the Middle East and Greece’s role at the UN security council, having begun a three-year term as a non-permanent member at the start of the month.

When Greece took the role, Gerapetritis had said that “in solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus, we support the UN secretary-general’s efforts and look forward to contributing constructively” towards the resumption of dialogue on the Cyprus problem.

That dialogue, he said, must be geared towards “a just, sustainable, and workable solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of security council resolutions”.

“As have stated in the past, in a world full of divisions, a united European Cyprus, beyond the conditions of prosperity it would create for its citizens, would constitute an extremely powerful universal symbol.”

Gerapetritis and Guterres’ discussion comes ahead of a meeting between Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s special representative Gunes Onar and Greek Cypriot chief negotiator Menelaos Menelaou to discuss the opening of new crossing points between Cyprus’ two sides.

Onar had confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that the pair will meet at 11am on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Onar told the Cyprus Mail on Wednesday that the Turkish Cypriot side will suggest that Tatar and President Nikos Christodoulides meet on February 7 ahead of UN under-secretary-general for peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo’s visit to the island.

DiCarlo is set to hold separate meetings with DiCarlo and Tatar on February 10, and is also expected to travel to both Ankara and Athens to meet members of the Turkish and Greek governments.

Her visit is set to come ahead of a planned “enlarged meeting” on the Cyprus problem which will involve Cyprus’ three guarantor powers, Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, as well as the UN, and will likely take place in March.