UN envoy Holguin meets with Turkish 'ambassador' in occupied Cyprus
On November 3, 2026, UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin held a series of meetings in Cyprus, including a controversial visit to the office of Ali Murat Basceri, the so-called Turkish ambassador in the occupied territories. This meeting drew strong criticism from the Nicosia government, with President Nikos Christodoulides and government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis labeling the action as unacceptable and a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 550. AKEL also condemned the move as a major political blunder.
Following her visit to the occupied areas, Holguin met with President Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace for a brief 30-minute discussion. Holguin stated she came to ask specific questions in person rather than via telephone. Despite the diplomatic friction caused by her earlier meeting, President Christodoulides suggested that the message conveyed by the Turkish side creates potential for positive developments, adding that he would have more clarity in the coming hours. He emphasized that the Greek Cypriot side remains constructive and committed to the process.
Holguin is scheduled to meet again with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Wednesday, November 4, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts ahead of a planned trilateral meeting on November 9, 2026. The envoy continues to express optimism regarding the progress of the Cyprus issue.