UN envoy calls on leaders to seize ‘historic opportunity’ for Cyprus deal

Politics Cyprus problemTop Newsturkey UN envoy calls on leaders to seize ‘historic opportunity’ for Cyprus deal Christodoulides Submits Five Point Proposal For Cyprus Talks As Holguín Prioritises Confidence Measures Relevant News Xylofagou prepares fundraiser to return brothers’ remains to Bulgaria 1 July 2026 UN envoy calls on leaders to seize ‘historic opportunity’ for Cyprus deal 1 July 2026 Bollywood comes to Cyprus: Director Anjali Bhushan explains why the island is the perfect stage for her new movie 1 July 2026 newsroom 1 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín has urged Cypriot leaders not to remain “prisoners of a difficult past,” in a statement released by UNFICYP detailing weeks of shuttle diplomacy across the region. Holguín met twice with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman during a visit to Cyprus from 7 to 14 June, according to the statement, and also held talks with political parties in the south following the May 2026 parliamentary elections. She said everything being done was aimed not only at starting a negotiation but at ensuring it reaches a successful conclusion. Following the visit, Holguín travelled to New York, where she met UN Secretary-General António Guterres last week. According to her statement, Guterres remains fully committed to finding a mutually beneficial solution for all Cypriots and is evaluating the next phases that could convince both parties to take concrete steps towards a final solution. Holguín said building trust had been difficult for decades, describing the weight of history as heavy and requiring wisdom, empathy and generosity. She said misinformation had also played a role, adding that articles published by media in recent weeks were rich in assumptions drawn from rumours and false beliefs on both sides. “There is not a single written word coming from me,” she said. She said she had focused her work on listening to the parties and other stakeholders on both sides. From Cyprus, Holguín travelled to Ankara and Athens, where she met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis. She described the conversations as frank, clear and focused on the areas and sectors that need work to create conditions for progress on the Cyprus issue. Holguín said the European Union also has a key role to play in supporting a solution. She pointed to a series of retreats she had promoted, in Amman with the Youth Committee, in Wilton Park with the co-chairs of the 13 technical committees, and in Paphos with academics and politicians, saying they had shown her that constructive dialogue between Cypriots from both sides is possible. Holguín said she had spent time since the start of her mission listening to academics, politicians, the private sector and civil society, and that she recognised the wide range of ideas from which Cypriots could build a final, sustainable solution. She said sustained and genuine political will from both leaders, backed by their communities, would remain essential to a successful outcome. Holguín acknowledged past efforts by previous UN Secretaries-General to bring the two sides together, and said realities on the ground had changed significantly over the past ten years. She said Cyprus has the potential to become a central regional actor and “a place where bridges are built in all directions.” She warned that the status quo is no longer a guarantee of stability and security in a fast-changing world, pointing to ongoing conflicts and crises elsewhere as confirmation. Holguín said she would continue working with the Secretary-General in the coming weeks and months to support Cypriots in reaching a final agreement. “But, don’t give up, don’t remain prisoners of a difficult past,” she said. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Xylofagou prepares fundraiser to return brothers’ remains to Bulgaria Bollywood comes to Cyprus: Director Anjali Bhushan explains why the island is the perfect stage for her new movie Family of Limassol shooting victim appeals for respect of privacy Phone and bank records under probe in Limassol wife shooting case FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32 – Mexico vs Ecuador Tourism losses to stay under 12% in 2026 as MPs accuse ministry of inaction On this day: Scotland opened its first parliament in nearly 300 years in 1999 Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.