Nicosia: On Saturday morning, President Christodoulides will meet with Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for the Cyprus issue, at 10:30 local time. Holguin returns to the island following her recent reappointment by the UN Secretary-General.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Holguin is also scheduled to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday, May 26th, as per diplomatic sources. Following her meetings with the leaders, Holguin will address the press and provide details about her future plans and activities.
During her stay from May 24 to 31, Holguin is expected to engage with the leaders, their representatives, and other stakeholders involved in the Cyprus issue. While it is uncertain if Holguin will hold a second meeting with the two leaders, the decision will depend on the outcomes of her initial discussions.
The UN announced Holguin’s visit to Cyprus to facilitate dialogues with the three guarantor powers-Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. However, the schedule for these meetings remains unconfirmed. Moreover, it is unclear if she will meet Johannes Hahn, the newly appointed Special Envoy of the European Commission for the Cyprus problem.
The Cyprus issue will also be a topic in an upcoming meeting between President Christodoulides and the British Prime Minister in London. Similarly, recent discussions on the matter occurred between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.
President Christodoulides reaffirmed the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to resuming peace negotiations and expressed readiness for the meeting with Holguin. Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou emphasized the importance of Holguin’s visit despite persistent challenges from the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot positions.
The Cyprus conflict dates back to 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the island’s northern third. Numerous UN-led peace talks have yet to achieve a resolution. The latest negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without success due to Turkish resistance.
The UN Secretary-General announced plans for an informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format at the end of July, following a previous session in Geneva. The discussions aim to implement several initiatives, including opening crossing points and establishing a Technical Committee on Youth.
Antonio Guterres appointed Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus in early May, tasked with re-engaging with the parties and advising on future steps. Holgun previously served in this role from January to July 2024. Additionally, the European Commission appointed Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus, working closely with Holgun to advance the settlement process.