Nicosia: UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, is set to meet with negotiators from the two communities involved in the Cyprus issue later today. Holguin's visit to Cyprus marks a significant step in preparing for separate discussions with the leaders of the two communities on Tuesday. Additionally, a joint meeting with both leaders and Holguin is scheduled for January 28, as a follow-up to a previous meeting held on December 11, 2025.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Holguin's arrival today and subsequent meetings aim to pave the way for a broader format meeting. This initiative aligns with the aspirations expressed by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, who emphasized the desire for a meeting that could lead to the resumption of substantive talks on the Cyprus issue.
Holguin will remain in Cyprus until January 29, amidst ongoing efforts to address the island's division, which has persisted since Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third in 1974. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, progress has been hampered, largely due to Turkish intransigence. The most recent negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana in Switzerland ended without conclusion.
In 2025, the UN Secretary-General hosted informal meetings on Cyprus, including sessions in March in Geneva and in July in New York. A tripartite meeting with Cyprus leaders was also held in September during the UN General Assembly High Level Week. Holguin's role involves engaging with the parties, while Johannes Hahn, former European Commissioner and designated Special Envoy for Cyprus by the European Commission, is expected to support the settlement process alongside Holguin.