Nicosia:The UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Angela Holguín, has expressed optimism about the potential for a 5+1 meeting on the Cyprus issue before the end of the year. She emphasized the need for progress on confidence-building measures, as well as in methodology and substance.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Holguín made these remarks following her meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace. She mentioned the productive nature of their discussion and announced her plans to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman in the coming days.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is eager to see advancements on the Cyprus issue before his mandate concludes. Holguín noted that Guterres has tasked her with facilitating discussions and that she remains hopeful for progress. A trilateral meeting is scheduled for November 9th, and Holguín remains optimistic about the possibility of a 5+1 meeting, contingent on advancements in key areas.

Holguín clarified that she is not interested in succeeding Guterres as UN Secretary-General. The Cyprus issue has been unresolved since the Turkish invasion in 1974, with previous UN-led peace talks failing to achieve a resolution. Guterres has proposed another meeting in a broader format, with the support of both Cypriot sides and the guarantor powers.