UN envoy Holguin optimistic about progress on Cyprus problem

UN Secretary-General António Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, said she is optimistic about making progress on the Cyprus problem. According to the Alphanews news site, Holguin held a meeting of about one hour with Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace.

In her statement after the meeting, Holguin said the purpose of her several days of contacts on the island is to give momentum to the process. She said Guterres had instructed her to work for progress on the Cyprus problem until the last day of her term, and that she has continued her work in that direction. Holguin said she will meet President Tufan Erhürman on Monday and pointed to a planned trilateral meeting with both leaders on Monday, 9 November. "I hope we can see something," she said.

Holguin also said she is optimistic that, if progress is made on core issues, methodology and Confidence-Building Measures, an informal broader conference on the Cyprus problem could convene before the end of the year. Asked whether she is considering running for UN Secretary-General, she answered no.