Brussels: UN Secretary General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, is set to engage in key discussions in Brussels and London next week, as preparations intensify for the multilateral conference on Cyprus, slated for the end of July in New York City. Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis informed the press on Wednesday that Holguin will first confer with the European Commission’s Special Envoy, Johannes Hahn, following his recent talks in Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ankara has yet to officially confirm its participation in the July meeting, leaving the final date undecided. Letymbiotis emphasized the significance of Holguin’s meeting with Hahn, especially after her visits to Ankara and Athens, highlighting her intention to return to Cyprus for further discussions after her engagements in Europe and before the conference in New York.
Letymbiotis noted that, aside from Turkey, all parties have agreed to the UN’s proposed dates for the multilateral conference. Alternative dates are being considered, with coordination ongoing with the UN Secretariat to establish a mutually convenient schedule. Official announcements regarding the conference dates will be made by the UN.
The spokesperson highlighted the President’s recent meeting with the EU envoy as particularly important, noting efforts to enhance the EU’s involvement in the Cyprus solution dialogue. He recalled the Council’s April 2024 conclusions, which tie EU-Turkey relations to progress on the Cyprus issue.
Letymbiotis acknowledged Hahn’s diplomatic experience, noting his direct reporting line to the President of the European Commission. He expressed optimism that the EU could play a crucial role in advancing talks, given Turkey’s desire for progress in its EU accession. He asserted that EU-Turkey relations could improve alongside advancements in the Cyprus negotiations.
Furthermore, Letymbiotis mentioned that substantive discussions could occur during the July Conference, with the Greek Cypriot side engaged in continuous and rigorous preparation. He also referenced the President’s meeting with UNSG Special Representative to Cyprus, Colin Stewart, ahead of the UNFICYP and UN good services reports to be presented to the UN Security Council on July 14.
Regarding the Turkish Cypriot leader’s refusal to meet with Johannes Hahn, Letymbiotis remarked that this decision sends a message to both the EU and Turkish Cypriots. He reiterated that Cyprus is a member of the European Union, and Turkish Cypriots enjoy many rights of European citizens. A meeting with Hahn would have only positive implications, he added.
Cyprus has remained divided since Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third in 1974. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution has remained elusive due to Turkish intransigence. The most recent negotiations, held in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without agreement.
The UN Secretary General has announced an upcoming informal meeting on Cyprus, following a similar gathering in Geneva on March 17-18, to address ongoing issues and seek progress in the peace process.