The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Angela Holguín on Wednesday visited two cemeteries that have recently undergone renovation as part of a landmark bicommunal initiative supported by both Cypriot communities.
Accompanied by the Co-Chairs of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Ali Tuncay and Sotos Ktoris, Holguín visited the Turkish Cypriot cemetery in Tochni and the Greek Cypriot cemetery in Palekythro. These sites are among the first to be restored following a March 2025 agreement between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders during an informal meeting in Geneva convened by the UN Secretary-General.
Speaking during the visit, Holguín expressed her encouragement at the progress made and praised the efforts of the Technical Committee. She welcomed the ongoing cooperation between the two communities, highlighting the deeply human and symbolic importance of restoring cemeteries as a gesture of mutual respect and remembrance.
“This is a significant humanitarian initiative that will touch the hearts and souls of many families throughout the island,” she said, noting that the restoration of cemeteries speaks directly to the shared values and histories that transcend the island’s longstanding division.
Holguín extended her gratitude to the Co-Chairs of the Committee and the local communities for their dedication in bringing this agreement to life. She emphasised the importance of such actions in building trust and understanding between the two sides.
The restoration efforts are part of broader confidence-building measures agreed by the leaders earlier this year, aiming to foster cooperation and reconciliation in a politically sensitive context.
