UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin discusses prospects for Cyprus negotiations

Maria Angela Holguin, the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, has addressed the current status of the peace process ahead of a tripartite meeting scheduled for November 9, 2026. In an interview with the newspaper Alithia, she emphasized that while direct dialogue between the two leaders is useful, there currently appears to be insufficient political will to resolve difficult issues. She specifically noted that meetings between the leaders have not yet yielded progress on confidence-building measures or agreement on a formal methodology for future negotiations.

Holguin dismissed concerns regarding the numerical count of proposals—referencing the 19 from President Christodoulides and seven from leader Erhurman—stating that the ability and willingness to implement agreements are more critical than the quantity of initiatives. Addressing criticism from the Nicosia administration regarding her physical absence from the island during bilateral meetings, she clarified that her role is to facilitate understanding rather than participate directly in private dialogues. She hopes the upcoming November 9 meeting will serve as a catalyst for compromise and allow the parties to define the framework for future talks, stressing that local ownership and practical cooperation remain essential for a solution.