UN Cyprus Envoy Holguin initiates talks to bridge decades-long divide

United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar is set to resume Cyprus reunification talks, which have been on hold for seven years

Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, the newly appointed United Nations envoy for Cyprus, embarked on a mission Tuesday to explore the possibilities of reviving talks aimed at resolving the decades-long division of the Mediterranean island.

Holguin initiated her diplomatic efforts with a meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides. Subsequently, she crossed the UN-patrolled ceasefire line to engage with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tater.

Hailing from a country that experienced 50 years of conflict, the Colombian diplomat expressed her commitment to collaborating and striving for positive outcomes for Cyprus. “I think I can collaborate and do all my best for a good result for Cyprus… and push again,” she stated during a press briefing after her meeting with Christodoulides.

Appointed by UN Chief Antonio Guterres, Holguin’s primary task is to assess whether there exists sufficient common ground to restart Cyprus reunification talks, which have been on hold for seven years.

The last round of UN-backed talks in 2017 ended without resolution, with blame largely directed at the Greek Cypriot side. However, recent developments have seen a firmer stance from Turkish Cypriots, advocating for a two-state solution in the absence of a reunification deal.

Greek Cypriot spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis emphasized the administration’s commitment to engagement in the new period, though there is no specific timeframe for the UN initiative. He noted that negotiations could resume promptly with political will on both sides.

Holguin is set to engage with various officials and civil society groups in the coming days to assess the viability of a renewed push for reunification. While the Greek Cypriot leader has promised new measures benefiting Turkish Cypriots, including fast-tracking citizenship applications and expanding trade, the challenges remain substantial.

“The prospects of a solution that everyone can accept are gradually fading,” warned the UN chief in his latest report on Cyprus, where peacekeepers have been deployed since 1964. The diplomatic efforts of Holguin will play a crucial role in determining the future trajectory of Cyprus reunification talks.

Source: Newsroom