Paphos: Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday expressed hope that the renewed engagement of the UN Secretary-General and the European Union would lead to positive developments, paving the way for meaningful negotiations and a resolution of the Cyprus issue.
According to Cyprus News Agency, in his address at the memorial service honouring the 11 fallen heroes and missing persons of the community of Emba, in Paphos, President Christodoulides said: "I sincerely hope that the renewed interest of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the European Union will lead to positive results, opening the way for substantive negotiations and the resolution of the Cyprus issue." Within this context, he added that he was "looking forward" to Monday's meeting with the UNSG personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holgun, which, he said, is a continuation of a meaningful effort that began a few weeks ago as a result of the UN Secretary-General's visit to Turkey, his discussions with President Erdogan, and later with the heads of the European Union institutions, "as well as the meeting I had with him in Brussels in March."
The President also stressed that, alongside efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, his government was working "with a clear plan and strategy, to strengthen all aspects of our country's power, both domestically and internationally".
At home, he said, efforts were focused on pursuing a strong and resilient economy, bold and continuous reforms, the modernisation of institutions, addressing migration challenges, enhancing the country's deterrence, and strengthening the sense of security across all sectors.
At the international level, President Christodoulides said, the Republic of Cyprus, "which proudly holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, is following the path of responsibility and is assuming an active role as a pillar of security and stability in the region".
He also said that, through its actions, the Government was strengthening the diplomatic footprint of the Republic of Cyprus and facing every challenge "with optimism, self-confidence, and the certainty drawn from the lessons bequeathed to us by the heroes we honour today".
In statements to journalists after the memorial service, President Christodoulides expressed hope that Holgun's contacts both in Cyprus and abroad, would lead to the resumption of substantive negotiations. He said Holgun's engagements outside Cyprus were "of crucial importance".
The President said his meeting with Holgun, scheduled for Monday, was a "very important" one.
He added that the UNSG personal envoy's visit to Cyprus is aimed to assess where matters currently stand and determine how further momentum can be generated to achieve the objective of convening a meeting in a broader format, "during which the resumption of negotiations will be announced". "Therefore, I look forward to tomorrow's meeting and hope that it will produce results", he added.
President Christodoulides noted that Holgun would remain in Cyprus for one week before travelling to other countries. "You understand which countries I am referring to, and I hope that conditions will be created that will lead us to the resumption of substantive negotiations", he said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced. Mara Angela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.