Reunification talks face challenges, UN envoy finds parties far apart

The ongoing efforts to reunify Cyprus have hit another roadblock, as the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, former Colombian Foreign Minister Ms. Holguin-Cuellar, finds significant gaps between the negotiating parties. This development was revealed by Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, President of the Security Council for July and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, during a press briefing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Ambassador Nebenzia, responding to a question from the Cyprus News Agency, expressed disappointment at the current state of negotiations. "It is unfortunate, but for a certain time already, we had an opportunity in 2017 in Crans-Montana, which was unfortunately lost, and since then there has been no visible, tangible progress on the Cyprus negotiations," he stated.

Highlighting the challenges, Ambassador Nebenzia noted that the positions of the parties involved have hardened. "Moreover, we see the toughening of positions of certain plans. Now there is the question of extending the mandate of Holguin-Cuellar, but that’s completely within the prerogative of the Secretary-General because she is his Personal Envoy, not the envoy of the Security Council nor of the SG’s Special Representative. Let’s see. In fact, it’s for him to make the decision," he explained.

Regarding the routine briefing by Colin Stewart, the head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Nebenzia indicated that no significant developments were expected. "On Colin Stewart’s regular briefing by the UNFICYP, that he has on the developments on the ground, on the issues that they are facing. I don’t expect anything extraordinary from this briefing," he added.

Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides has reiterated his support for the continuation of efforts by the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy, Holguín-Cuéllar, to resume Cyprus reunification talks. Speaking ahead of the annual General Assembly of the Pancyprian Hoteliers' Association (PASYXE), Christodoulides addressed concerns about potential proposals from Holguín that might fall outside the established solution framework. He emphasized that all involved parties, including the UN Secretary-General and Holguín-Cuellar, are bound by UN resolutions.

Christodoulides confirmed that Holguín-Cuellar is expected to submit her report to the UN Secretary-General in early July, after which the Secretary-General will determine the next steps. He stressed that the framework for negotiations is well-defined by the UN Security Council, leaving no room for deviation.

In response to a question about a potential issue with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus, Christodoulides denied any problems despite recent disagreements. He described a civil debate regarding statements made by the UN peacekeeping force's spokesperson about migration.

Regarding Holguín-Cuellar's meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in London, Christodoulides mentioned receiving an initial briefing and noted that there were no significant new developments from Tatar's public statements.

Christodoulides also rejected Tatar's calls for direct flights and trade with the Turkish-occupied north of the island, equating these demands with sovereign equality and the two-state solution, which are unacceptable to the Greek Cypriot side. Additionally, he refuted Tatar's accusations that the Greek Cypriot side politicizes the issue of property rights in the occupied areas, affirming the importance of defending basic human rights.

[With information from CNA]