Cyprus President embarks on high-stakes UN mission focusing on peace talks and energy strategy
"President Nikos Christodoulides has commenced a week of high-level diplomatic engagements in New York, prioritizing efforts to revive Cyprus reunification talks with UN leadership and addressing the 81st UN General Assembly. His agenda also heavily emphasizes energy and regional security, featuring strategic discussions with Chevron and ExxonMobil executives to advance Cyprus’s offshore gas development."
EU Directive 2019/790 Article 15 Attribution • Verified Energy Document
President Nikos Christodoulides has commenced a critical week of diplomatic engagements in New York, with a packed agenda focusing on the Cyprus issue, energy, regional security, and climate change. The visit underscores Cyprus' commitment to global diplomacy and strategic partnerships.
A central aim of the president's trip is to advance efforts to revive negotiations on the island's long-standing division. Key meetings are scheduled with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his personal envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, to discuss the next steps in the peace process.
Energy development also features prominently, extending beyond traditional diplomacy due to its direct link to Cyprus' plans for developing its offshore gas reserves. President Christodoulides is set to meet with Chevron executive Javier La Rosa, who leads the company's base assets and emerging countries division, and ExxonMobil Vice President John Ardill. These discussions are particularly significant for Cyprus, as both energy giants are active in the country's offshore gas sector. Their future investment plans could substantially impact government revenue, foster new regional partnerships, and enhance Cyprus' strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The week's itinerary began on Sunday, September 20, with meetings with leaders of Cypriot diaspora organizations to discuss developments surrounding the Cyprus issue. On Monday, President Christodoulides met Jordan’s King Abdullah II and participated in a summit on multilateral cooperation, international law, peace, and prosperity, co-organized by European Council President António Costa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
President Christodoulides is scheduled to address the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, where he is expected to cover the Cyprus issue alongside regional and international developments. Later that day, he will deliver an intervention at a high-level climate summit convened by Secretary-General Guterres.
Further diplomatic engagements include a working breakfast on Thursday, organized by Antenna Group and the Atlantic Council, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the European Union and Gulf countries on regional security and prosperity. He will also host a lunch for the permanent representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On Friday, the president will meet Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and representatives of the American Jewish Committee, before attending a farewell dinner hosted by Cypriot diaspora organizations.
The president is accompanied by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, and Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou. The delegation is expected to conclude its mission and return to Cyprus on the evening of September 26.