UN envoy Holguin urges Cyprus leaders to restart stalled talks

UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative on Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin has called on the island’s leaders in an article written for the Politis newspaper. Politis published the piece on its front page and inside pages under the headline “Holguin’s Article-Message to the Leaders – Shows How to Open the Way”.

Holguin said negotiations have not yet resumed and that the decision to restart them rests with the leaders. She stressed that the UN remains present on the island and ready to help. She also said the UN has gathered agreements reached in negotiations about 10 years ago into written form and re-examined related documents that could be useful if talks resume.

She argued that confidence-building measures and methodology also require agreement between the two leaders. Methodology sets how negotiations are conducted, while substantive issues remain the subject of talks. Agreeing on process rules, she said, shows both sides’ willingness to progress and to engage in dialogue. As mediator, she said she will keep working until the last day of her mandate and believes a comprehensive agreement is possible.