UN Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín returned to Nicosia after three months away with hope and optimism that the leaders can achieve progress in the coming days that will lead to a new expanded meeting before the year’s end.
Holguín, back in Cyprus for the first time since UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit in July, told reporters yesterday that she hoped for progress at the trilateral meeting with the two leaders on 9 November.
Speaking after her one-hour tête-à-tête with President Nikos Christodoulides, the UN envoy said Guterres had asked her to keep pushing on the Cyprus issue until the last day of his mandate.
Holguín said she had a good meeting with Christodoulides who briefed her on his discussions with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and welcomed the fact the two leaders were meeting bilaterally.
The envoy noted she will meet Erhürman on Monday and then hold a trilateral with both leaders the following Monday.
“I am here, I am (an) optimist, and I hope we can get something next week,” she said.
Asked if she was also optimistic about holding an expanded meeting before the end of the year, the envoy replied: “I am optimistic […] If there are some advances in the CBMs (confidence-building measures), in methodology, and in some substance. And if we can get that, we are going to have the 5+1.”
Asked if she was interested in the position of UN Secretary-General, the former Colombian foreign minister replied: “No, no, no.”
Cautiously optimistic
Speaking later in the day, Christodoulides told reporters he had a “very good meeting” with Holguín on his 19 proposals and other ideas which could help achieve progress that would lead to a resumption of talks from the point at which they were interrupted in 2017.
Based on their discussions, the president said: “I can justifiably say I am cautiously optimistic.”
Christodoulides also suggested it would be helpful if Holguín held more than one trilateral during her stay in Cyprus.
Asked to comment on differences over how to handle the UN-compiled convergences document, the president did not wish to comment, saying: “We are at a critical juncture and critical processes are under way.”
Convergences document can help get to a 5+1
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis was less reserved, telling reporters the Greek Cypriot position has not changed.
Recording convergences and sharing them with all sides will support the effort to resume negotiations, he argued. “There should be this self-evident common understanding of how we proceed and how we restart negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted,” he added.
According to Politis sources, the UN convergences document covers the period from 2015 to early 2017. It does not include the negotiating acquis from Crans-Montana, which will have to be addressed at the start of any new negotiation process.
Holguín decided not to share the convergences document with the sides before negotiations start following Turkish Cypriot objections.
According to Greek Cypriot sources, the understanding was that convergences were meant to be recorded and shared with the sides as a means to prepare for a 5+1 which could pave the way for a resumption of talks. Agreement on past convergences would be considered a significant step forward, particularly considering Ankara’s official position in favour of Turkish Cypriot “sovereign equality and equal international status”.
At the same time, as facilitator, the UN cannot force the document upon the sides if one does not wish it to be shared in advance.
On the cusp of a breakthrough
Speaking to Politis, informed sources said there is a possibility for agreement on new crossing points in the coming days, with Athienou-Pyroi-Aglandjia and Mia Milia the main contenders.
The route for the Athienou crossing point has all but been dealt with, meaning the issue holding back progress has more to do with numbers and the principle of reciprocity.
If Louroujina-Lymbia is on the list, however, then Kokkina comes into play, and appears unlikely for now. Christodoulides has suggested special arrangements for residents in the area to cross the Turkish Cypriot enclave but it is not clear how his counterpart will respond.
Should the sides agree on opening new crossing points, a Greek Cypriot source said the understanding is Guterres will convene an expanded meeting, even if this is not matched by concrete progress on methodology and substance.
Grievances shared
In a message to the leaders, published by Politis on 17 October, Holguín questioned how the leaders could end decades of division if they could not even agree on CBMs. Her remarks rankled the president who responded that the UN envoy should spend more time in Cyprus to see what’s going on.
Asked whether the president raised any reservations with Holguín regarding her presence on the island, Letymbiotis said yesterday it was not a question of reservations, but of the added value and significance that the UN envoy’s presence would bring, noting talks are held under UN auspices.
Regarding recent comments by Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdoğan on efforts to upgrade the breakaway entity in the north within the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), Letymbiotis repeated the view that “international law cannot be violated”.
He argued that diversionary efforts on Turkey’s part do not contribute to a conducive climate for talks.
“The efforts Turkey is making more broadly in the region are also well known, challenging and disregarding international law and the Law of the Sea.”
Organisation of Turkic States
Ahead of the 13th OTS Summit in Ankara yesterday, Erdoğan published an opinion piece titled: “The Century of the Turkic World: From Solidarity to Integration.”
In it, he called on Turkic states to build stronger ties with the north and expand its benefits as an observer to the OTS, while reiterating support for ending Turkish Cypriot isolation and securing recognition of their sovereign equality and equal international status.
Speaking at the summit, Erhürman also called for an end to the international isolation of Turkish Cypriots, urging Turkic states to develop contacts, dialogue and cooperation with Turkish Cypriots in all fields.
According to ANKA News Agency, Erhürman said integrating Turkish Cypriots with the world and search for a Cyprus settlement were “mutually reinforcing processes”.
Meanwhile, US President Donald trump called Erdoğan during the OTS official summit dinner on Thursday evening, marking their second conversation in 24 hours. According to the Turkish Presidency, Trump called Erdoğan to convey his best wishes ahead of the summit.
📽️ The Personal Envoy of the @UN Secretary-General on #Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, speaks to the media after meeting with @Christodulides. #uncyprustalks https://t.co/jV56yENyIF
— UN Cyprus (@UN_CYPRUS) October 30, 2026
