Christodoulides was elected GC President in February 2023. In their first informal meeting, he asked President Tatar how they could start settlement negotiations. Tatar stated that they could start once the sovereign equality and equal status of TCs was reaffirmed. Tatar received UK Minister for Europe Docherty in May and demanded the lifting of the unfair restrictions imposed on TCs and respect for their equal inherent rights. At his meeting with Maria Holguin, the new Personal Envoy of the UNSG, Tatar stated that the lifting of the unfair direct trade, direct flight and direct contact (3D) restrictions on TCs could help start the negotiations. GC refusal resulted in Holguin reporting that no common ground existed to start negotiations. In September, Tatar repeated his 3D proposal to Guterres. In October, the two leaders agreed to discuss opening new border crossings and to have an informal meeting in a broader format. Because GCs insisted on transit crossings no progress was possible. At the 5+UN meeting in March 2025 political progress was not possible but the sides agreed on six initiatives to build trust. While no agreement was possible on the critical issues of new border crossings, solar energy and demining, agreement was reached regarding the establishment of a youth committee, restoration of cemeteries and environmental protection.