New york: UN Secretary General's Special Representative and Head of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Khassim Diagne, concentrated on the recent reports of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus during his briefing to the UN Security Council members. The briefing took place behind closed doors, lasting approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Diagne underscored the efforts by the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, to maintain her intensive engagements with both sides in a bid to resume negotiations.
European members of the UN Security Council, including France, Latvia, Greece, and Denmark, along with the United States, reportedly showed their support for a resolution based on the established framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Somalia highlighted "economic disparities" and "conditions of isolation" impacting the Turkish Cypriot community.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern region. Numerous rounds of UN-led peace discussions have yet to succeed, hindered by Turkish intransigence. The most recent negotiations in July 2017 at Switzerland's Crans-Montana resort ended without resolution.
Following informal meetings in 2025 and a subsequent hiatus, preparations are ongoing for an upcoming broader meeting, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term approaches its conclusion. Mara Angela Holgun, serving as Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, continues her engagement with involved parties. Raffaele Fitto, the Executive Vice-President, now acts as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding former EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.