UN envoy cancels meetings with Famagusta and Morphou municipal officials

The personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, has cancelled scheduled meetings with the mayors of the occupied municipalities of Famagusta and Morphou. The meetings were originally intended to take place on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, to discuss the current status of the Cyprus issue, 52 years after the Turkish invasion, and address demands for the return of these areas to their legitimate inhabitants.

The UN informed the municipal offices of the cancellation late Monday night, citing unforeseen professional obligations and a need to focus on preparing a report for the UN Secretary-General following recent discussions between regional leaders. Officials from both municipalities confirmed that the sessions would not proceed. Mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, stated that the envoy's office requested the submission of planned memoranda via email instead and offered the possibility of meeting with local UN representatives at a later date if the municipalities so desire.

The cancellation has been met with disappointment by local authorities who had been seeking these consultations for months. While the direct meetings with Ms. Holguin are off, the process regarding the Cyprus issue remains ongoing, with the envoy continuing her diplomatic reporting duties.