UN envoy Holguin conducts preparatory meetings ahead of November 9 Cyprus trilateral summit

UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, is holding a series of high-level meetings on the island to prepare for a trilateral summit scheduled for November 9. Following a Friday meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides, Holguin met with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Monday. During this session, which lasted approximately 80 to 90 minutes, she expressed optimism regarding the process, despite acknowledging that significant work remains to bridge differences between the parties.

President Christodoulides has expressed his readiness for further joint meetings with Holguin and Erhurman to address specific proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot side. He has signaled flexibility in his schedule to facilitate these talks, aiming for a broader negotiation process before the end of the UN Secretary-General's current term. A follow-up meeting between the President and Holguin is scheduled for Tuesday at 15:15.

Additionally, Holguin has agreed to meet delegations from the occupied municipalities of Famagusta and Morphou on Saturday. Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou plans to present a proposal for the return of the fenced-off city of Varosha under UN administration, as a confidence-building measure connected to European Union-controlled port operations. These discussions occur amid ongoing, complex diplomatic efforts to break the long-standing political deadlock.