UN envoy Holguin's imminent return to Cyprus on March 11-12

UN Secretary-General's personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, is scheduled to return to Cyprus around March 11 or 12, as per sources from the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

Holguin, in her statement earlier this month, mentioned her upcoming trip, starting in London the first week of March, to conclude contacts with the guarantor powers. Upon returning to Cyprus, she plans to engage with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including political party leaders, representatives from social sectors, chambers of commerce, and economic sectors. Additionally, she aims to resume discussions with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.

However, Holguin will be unable to attend an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Although leaders of the two communities are invited, they are not expected to attend due to other commitments. The event will primarily focus on the participation of civil society members and ambassadors.

Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, has witnessed unsuccessful rounds of UN-led peace talks. The latest negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus to navigate the way forward in the Cyprus issue and seek common ground in a Good Offices role.