Nicosia: Holguin to continue organising meetings with society to encourage rapprochement. While the role of the leaders will remain fundamental, their important efforts also need to be actively supported by all Cypriots, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, has stressed, adding that in the coming months, she will continue organising meetings with segments of society from both communities with the sole objective to encourage rapprochement at all levels.
According to Cyprus News Agency, in an op-ed entitled "The Importance of Sustaining Dialogue," Holguin expressed that changing the status quo for the benefit of all requires that the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders build a different model of interaction and take necessary decisions that would demonstrate a genuine interest in resuming negotiations. She expressed hope that the series of joint meetings between Mr. Christodoulides and Mr. Erhrman since November 2025 will herald positive movement in this direction.
Holguin highlighted the importance of supporting the leaders' efforts, emphasizing that sustaining dialogue and working towards peace should be a collective effort. In November 2025, she convened a retreat of the Technical Committee on Youth in Amman, supported by the Swedish government and the Folke Bernadotte Academy, which proved fruitful as it allowed young people to articulate their vision of the island's future.
A few weeks ago, Holguin participated in an informal seminar organized by the Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF) in Paphos, gathering Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot academics. The group engaged in meaningful discussions on the challenges and opportunities the island faces, articulating scenarios and proposals to ensure a better and sustainable future for Cyprus.
Last week, with support from the UK Government, Holguin hosted the Co-Chairs of the thirteen Technical Committees at Wilton Park. Participants discussed ways to build trust through the Technical Committees and enhance their effectiveness. They examined international experiences and practical ways to overcome obstacles, exploring how the Committees can increase their impact and improve outreach within and across both communities.
Holguin expressed her admiration for the resolve and commitment of the Co-Chairs to build bridges and advance peace in Cyprus, acknowledging the often unnoticed work of the Technical Committees. She concluded by reiterating her intention to continue organizing meetings with various societal segments to encourage rapprochement, generate ideas for a common vision, and create opportunities for positive change based on collective efforts.