Cyprus has announced plans to invite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to a regional summit during its European Union presidency in 2026, despite decades of unresolved tensions stemming from Turkey’s 1974 military intervention on the island.
President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed on Monday that Ankara will be among the nations invited to a high-level meeting scheduled for April 2026. The summit will focus on regional developments in the Middle East and is part of Nicosia’s agenda during its six-month tenure at the helm of the EU Council.
Speaking to journalists in Nicosia, Christodoulides underscored the importance of engaging with all regional players. He noted that while Cyprus and Turkey remain deeply divided over historical and territorial disputes, geographical realities necessitate dialogue.
Turkey and Cyprus have not maintained diplomatic relations since Ankara’s invasion of the island in 1974, triggered by a short-lived Greek-backed coup.
The conflict resulted in the island’s partition, with Turkey supporting a self-declared state in Northern Cyprus that remains internationally unrecognized. Thousands of Turkish troops are still stationed in the north.
Christodoulides, who leads the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot administration in the south, reaffirmed that the EU presidency presents an opportunity to promote constructive regional cooperation. However, logistical and diplomatic challenges are expected, particularly as Erdoğan has never set foot in the southern part of Cyprus.
The Turkish presidency has yet to respond to the invitation, which, if accepted, could mark a significant diplomatic moment for the region.
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