The UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, said Cypriots should not let the current opening pass, warning that the status quo "is no longer a guarantee of stability and security in today's fast-changing and agitated world." In a message released following her visit to the island from 7 to 14 June, Holguín said she met twice with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, and later travelled to Ankara and Athens for talks with Foreign Ministers Hakan Fidan and George Gerapetritis. She said UN Secretary-General António Guterres remains fully committed to supporting a settlement and is now weighing the next steps needed to move both sides toward a final agreement.
Message from UNSG Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín:
During my visit to Cyprus from 7 to 14 June, I met twice with the leaders Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhürman and discussed the way forward. I also engaged in rich conversations with political parties in the south following the May 2026 parliamentary elections. Everything we are doing is not only to start a negotiation but to ensure that it is carried out to a successful conclusion. Last week, in New York, I met the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He remains fully committed in his support to find a mutually beneficial solution for all Cypriots. In this context, he is evaluating which could be the next phases that will convince both parties to take concrete steps towards a final solution; hoping that optimism can drive both sides towards Cyprus' future.
For decades, it has been difficult to build trust. The weight of history is heavy and must be handled with wisdom, empathy and generosity. Misinformation has also played a role. I understand that the political atmosphere is always sensitive, but I still believe that confidence can prevail if both parties put their minds and actions together to finally resolve their differences and disagreements. In the last weeks, I have read different articles published by media in the south and north of the island. I noticed that they are rich in assumptions and creativity, the product of rumors and false beliefs on both sides of the island. There is not a single written word coming from me. I have concentrated my work on listening to the parties and many other stakeholders from both sides. I know that expectations are big and there is a fear of opening a door to building a new future; and, moreover, under this uncertainty, strong forces appear to want to keep the status quo alive.
Following my visit to Cyprus, I traveled to Ankara and Athens and met Ministers Hakan Fidan of Türkiye and George Gerapetritis of Greece. Our conversations have been frank, clear and focused on areas and sectors all must work on so that the conditions created to foster concrete actions would open the way to move forward on the Cyprus issue.
In this context, some actors also have a key role to play, such as the European Union, to create an environment to propitiate with determination and vision to actively support a solution to the Cyprus issue.
All the retreats that I have promoted in Amman, Jordan and Brussels with the Youth Committee, in Wilton Park, UK with the co-chairs of the 13 technical committees, and in Paphos with academics and politicians have shown me that a constructive dialogue is possible between Cypriots from both sides.
Since the beginning, I have devoted time to listen to academics, politicians, the private sector, and civil society at large. They have shared with me their visions, perspectives, fears and understanding of feasible solutions. In this context, I recognize the wide spectrum of their ideas from which Cypriots could build a final and sustainable solution. I am committed to keep exploring suggestions and options to enable the United Nations, to support both leaders in their search to reach a settlement that takes into account the fundamental interests of all Cypriots. Needless to say, that sustained and genuine political will of the two leaders, supported by their own communities, will continue to be needed to ensure a successful outcome.
I recognize past efforts and difficult negotiations throughout history. Several UN Secretary-Generals tried to bring the parties together in their search for a solution. In the last 10 years realities on the ground have deeply changed. I sincerely believe that a renovated dialogue could actually motivate both sides to agree to a pathway in which both can prosper with security and opportunities. I have dedicated myself to bringing both parties closer together and I reiterate once again, my invitation to look to the future.
I am convinced that Cypriots can cooperate and share a vision of the future for the new generations. Cyprus truly has the potential to become a central regional actor by uniting around common interests, while respecting its own internal characteristics and diversity. Cyprus can be a place where bridges are built in all directions and coexistence is promoted in this complex Eastern Mediterranean region. As such, Cyprus can truly become an example for the region, for Europe and for the rest of the world.
This is particularly important as we can all observe that developments in this region lead to increased tension and confrontation among countries. In this context, a decision that favors all Cypriots and finally puts an end to so many years of uncertainty becomes all the more urgent. The status quo is no longer a guarantee of stability and security in today's fast-changing and agitated world. Unfortunately, a flurry of ongoing conflicts and crises in different parts of the world confirm this.
We have explored all possible ways to promote dialogue towards an agreement that would be satisfactory for all. In the coming weeks and months, I will continue sparing no efforts to work with the Secretary-General with the view to supporting Cypriots reaching an understanding and a final agreement that will bring security and prosperity to the whole island.
In my relentless quest, I reiterate my invitation to Cypriots to design a shared prosperous and secure future that will uphold and respect your interests and rights. I am committed and willing to explore all possible ways to promote dialogue towards an agreement that is satisfactory for all stakeholders. It is my sincere hope that Cypriots, this time, will seize this historic opportunity to negotiate a lasting solution. I understand the difficulty in believing in a different Cyprus. But, don't give up, don't remain prisoners of a difficult past.
