Nicosia: UN Secretary General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, has expressed optimism for progress on the matters agreed upon by the two sides in March. Speaking after her meeting on Monday in the Turkish-occupied areas with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, Holguin shared her satisfaction about returning to the island for preparatory discussions ahead of the upcoming week.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Holguin voiced hope for significant advancements concerning the measures decided in the previous agreement. She described her meeting with Tatar as productive and indicated plans to meet with President Nikos Christodoulides later the same day. Holguin noted that she and the negotiators would engage in intensive discussions “this afternoon, and likely again on Wednesday.”
Holguin emphasized that the UN’s efforts are dedicated to the well-being of the island’s residents and ensuring improved living conditions. She affirmed the UN’s unwavering commitment to this goal and expressed the hope that the leaders share this vision.
During her diplomatic mission, Holguin held a series of meetings in various locations, including Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, Brussels, and Paris. Notably, before returning to Cyprus for further discussions in preparation for the New York meeting, she met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Constantinople, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis in Athens, British Europe Minister Stephen Doughty in London, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and EU Special Envoy for Cyprus Johannes Hahn in Brussels. Additionally, she had engagements in Paris.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and subsequent occupation of the northern third of the island.
An informal meeting, scheduled at the UN headquarters in New York on July 16 and 17, was announced by UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The meeting aims to continue dialogue and exchange views on the progress achieved since March.
The March meeting in Geneva, held on the 17th and 18th, resulted in an agreement between the two sides to launch several initiatives. These include opening crossing points, establishing a Technical Committee on Youth, and other initiatives within the buffer zone and throughout the island.
In early May, UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres appointed Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. Her mandate includes engaging with the parties to advance the Cyprus issue and advising Guterres on subsequent actions. Holgun previously served as the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.
The European Commission appointed Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to assist in the settlement process in close collaboration with Holgun.