**Holguin to Return to Cyprus Next Month for Ongoing Peace Talks**
Nicosia, Cyprus – United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin is set to return to Cyprus in early September, as announced by President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to resume negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing division of the island.
President Christodoulides made the announcement while departing from the presidential palace for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. He emphasized that the UN's preparations for the upcoming discussions are at an advanced stage, particularly concerning the convergences that have been identified in previous talks.
The President noted that the discussions would focus on creating the necessary conditions to fulfill the requests made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to Cyprus last month. Guterres had called for the resumption of negotiations from the point they were left off in the summer of 2017, following a failed summit in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Holguin's previous visit to Cyprus coincided with Guterres' trip, during which the Secretary-General indicated that a new, expanded meeting regarding the Cyprus issue would be convened once sufficient progress is made on confidence-building measures, the methodology of the talks, and the substantive issues at hand.
In her recent statements, Holguin has underscored the importance of implementing confidence-building measures as a critical step before any enlarged meeting can take place. She characterized these measures as essential not only for improving the atmosphere between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities but also as practical tools that can demonstrate the viability of a future political arrangement.
Holguin explained that confidence-building measures are vital in alleviating societal fears regarding potential solutions or changes. She argued that the anxieties surrounding a resolution can be mitigated if these measures are perceived as not disrupting daily life for the communities involved.
Among the proposed confidence-building measures is the potential opening of crossing points between the two sides of the island. However, discussions on this issue have encountered deadlock. The Greek Cypriot side has suggested modifying the previously agreed-upon package of four locations for new crossing points by removing Louroujina, located northwest of Larnaca, and instead proposing new crossings near Athienou and in the eastern Nicosia suburbs of Mia Milia and Aglandjia. The Turkish Cypriot side has firmly rejected any discussions that do not include all four originally agreed locations.
As Holguin prepares for her upcoming visit, the focus remains on fostering dialogue and building trust between the two communities. The international community continues to watch closely as these developments unfold, hoping for a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation on the island.
The return of Holguin and the anticipated discussions signal a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to address the Cyprus issue, which has persisted for decades. The outcomes of these talks could have significant implications for the future of the island and its inhabitants.