President Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides are meeting in the UN Buffer Zone at Ledra Palace Hotel.
Today’s meeting is the second since the informal meeting held in Geneva in March.
The highly anticipated leaders’ meeting began at 11:00 a.m., as part of ongoing dialogue under the UN’s auspices.
Ahead of their meeting, the two leaders also attended the opening session of the Youth Technical Committee, which held its first event today at the same venue.
Both underlined the importance of youth in peacebuilding during their joint appearance at the first meeting of the Youth Technical Committee, held today at Ledra Palace Hotel.
In his address, President Tatar described the committee as a historic step, emphasising that fostering mutual trust and social interaction is essential for improving intercommunal relations.
He stated that building the future requires communication and knowledge-sharing, adding that lasting peace can only be achieved when young people learn to respect one another.
Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides also stressed the committee’s role in resolving the Cyprus issue and advancing the peace process.
Expressing confidence in the younger generation, he noted that peaceful coexistence among youth is critical for Cyprus’s future and that the committee carries a major responsibility in helping to establish lasting peace.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Colin Stewart who also spoke at a joint press conference noted the significance of today’s event, coinciding with the inaugural meeting of the 13th Technical Committee—the Youth Technical Committee.
He praised the launch as a timely and meaningful initiative, reflecting the commitment of both communities to empowering youth and promoting peace.
The committee aims to foster cooperation and dialogue between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth.
The meeting comes in the wake of an initial tête-à-tête between the two leaders on April 2, during which they agreed to establish a bi-communal technical committee on youth and to begin work on a series of confidence-building measures.
These include the demining of specific areas, joint environmental and climate change initiatives, and the restoration of cemeteries.
They also agreed to continue discussions on improving the operation of crossing points and exploring the use of solar energy within the buffer zone.
The return to Cyprus of the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy María Angela Holguin is expected later in May.
The UNSG announced that another expanded informal meeting on Cyprus will be held at the end of July in Geneva.
Further details from the leaders’ meeting are expected to be shared later in the day.
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