**Holguin to Return to Cyprus in October for Continued Peace Talks Efforts**
The United Nations is set to intensify its efforts to foster conditions conducive to a new round of negotiations regarding the long-standing Cyprus issue. Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, is scheduled to return to Cyprus in October to engage in further discussions with both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.
Holguin's upcoming visit follows a series of meetings held during the recent UN General Assembly in New York, where she met separately with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. These discussions were part of broader efforts to address the challenges hindering progress towards renewed negotiations. Holguin was accompanied by UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, during meetings with chief negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and Erhurman’s special representative, Mehmet Dana. The focus of these discussions was to review the progress on confidence-building measures (CBMs) that have been agreed upon by both sides.
The CBMs are designed to foster trust between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, with the aim of paving the way for further initiatives that could lead to a resolution of the Cyprus problem. Holguin emphasized the importance of these measures, stating that the ability of both leaders to cooperate on them could serve as an indicator of their commitment to pursuing a sustainable settlement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term is set to conclude in three months, reiterated his dedication to supporting efforts aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue until the end of his mandate. During his meetings with Christodoulides and Erhurman, Guterres discussed potential strategies for overcoming the obstacles that have historically impeded progress in negotiations.
Although a trilateral meeting was not initially planned, President Christodoulides proposed holding one during the week of the UN General Assembly. However, Erhurman expressed that he did not find such a meeting appropriate at this stage, according to Holguin.
In addition to facilitating dialogue, the UN has completed an exercise documenting past convergences between the two sides, which will be made available once negotiations resume. Both parties will also be invited to submit proposals regarding the methodology for a future negotiating process.
Holguin's next visit to Cyprus is anticipated to focus on encouraging both sides to establish the necessary conditions for the launch of a new negotiating process. The UN's facilitation efforts are expected to continue until the end of December, as the international community remains hopeful for a breakthrough in the long-standing conflict.
The ongoing discussions and planned future engagements highlight the UN's commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, as the quest for a lasting resolution to the Cyprus issue continues.