Nicosia: The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Mara ngela Holgun, is expected to visit Cyprus before the end of the month, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, noting that a joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader should take place during her visit.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides, while speaking at Episkopeio, a village in Nicosia district, stated that Holgun is anticipated to arrive in Cyprus before the end of January. He confirmed ongoing communications with her, implying that her visit is part of preparatory efforts to convene an informal conference aimed at resuming talks from where they left off in Crans-Montana.
The President emphasized that there is ongoing activity and progress in developments, indicating that Holgun will announce her itinerary and specific dates. He reiterated that during her visit, a joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader should occur.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. UN-led peace efforts have repeatedly stalled due to Turkish resistance. The most recent negotiations in Crans-Montana in July 2017 were inconclusive.
In 2025, the UN Secretary-General organized two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, with a tripartite meeting with Cyprus leaders in September. An anticipated informal meeting in a broader format before the end of 2025 is still pending.
Mara ngela Holgun is engaged in facilitating discussions between parties, supported by former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, appointed by the Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, to aid the settlement process alongside Holgun.