Government Approves United Nations Proposal for Stewart’s Successor, Confirms Letymbiotis

Nicosia: The government has given its consent to a United Nations proposal for the replacement of the outgoing UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis announced. Stewart, who had been serving in Cyprus since 2021 as Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force on the island (UNFICYP), stepped down this month due to retirement. The United Nations is expected to make the official announcements regarding Stewart’s successor.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Letymbiotis reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing the agreed Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) before a scheduled joint meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar with the UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres in September. This meeting is set to take place in New York during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.

Letymbiotis also mentioned the potential new visit to Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mar­a ngela Holgu­n Cu©llar. He noted that the government perceives such a visit as positive and desirable before the forthcoming New York meeting.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous rounds of UN-led peace talks, a resolution has not been achieved. The most recent negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without consensus.

In July 2025, an informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format was held in New York. During this meeting, Guterres announced plans for a joint meeting with Cyprus leaders during the General Assembly’s high-level week in September. Discussions between the two sides in Cyprus persist on unresolved matters, including the opening of crossing points and a solar energy installation in the buffer zone. They have also agreed on cooperation in areas such as the exchange of cultural artifacts. Meanwhile, Mar­a ngela Holgu­n will continue her efforts as the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus.