The explicit commitment by the two leaders to pursue a Cyprus settlement on the basis of political equality, as defined in UN Security Council resolutions, is “no small achievement”, according to the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar. Speaking to the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen, she noted that this is the first time since 2020 that such clarity has been expressed in a joint statement, while stressing that the process remains at a very early stage.
Holguín said more concrete steps are required to create a genuine atmosphere of trust, enabling the Secretary-General to convene an informal 5+1 meeting. A number of confidence-building measures are already on the table, she added, and both sides will need encouragement to make progress.
A detailed, open and honest trilateral meeting
Evaluating the trilateral meeting held this week, Holguín described it as “in-depth, honest and extremely open”. For the first time in five years, the two leaders met face to face on 11 December and discussed core political issues.
In their joint statement, she said, both leaders agreed that their objective is a solution based on political equality as defined by the Security Council. “This kind of commitment has not been made by the leaders since 2020. This is not a small achievement.”
Holguín also underlined that the dialogue is taking place between “two new leaders with a fresh and creative vision for the island”, something she considers a critical factor in conflict-resolution processes. She described the new Turkish Cypriot leader as eloquent and well informed, noting that he quickly identified the issues that need to be addressed before entering comprehensive negotiations. “The length of the meeting was an indication of how detailed the discussion was,” she said, adding that she was pleased to see both leaders engage so deeply.
Political equality as the starting point
Asked about the absence of a specific model of solution in the UN statement, Holguín pointed to the explicit reference to political equality anchored in Security Council resolutions. “This represents a significant shift.”
She recalled that on 21 November 2025, a notable agreement was reached on the initial point raised by Erhürman during his first meeting with President Christodoulides. “Progress on political equality, the fundamental issue, was necessary. This was an important first step.”
Holguín contrasted this with her assessment in July 2024, when she had concluded that “there was no common ground” between the previous leaders. On 11 December, she said, the leaders agreed to return to a clear path toward negotiations with political equality as their reference point.
Both sides have agreed on certain confidence-building measures, she continued, and she hopes they will be able to agree on more in the coming weeks and months. “Much more needs to be done to strengthen this newly emerging dynamic and create a genuine atmosphere of trust that will allow the Secretary-General to convene a 5+1 informal meeting.”
Hope, caution and the need for concrete steps
Asked whether she is optimistic about achieving a settlement, Holguín replied that while the meeting had many positive aspects, her optimism “still depends on concrete steps and progress toward the full resumption of comprehensive negotiations”. She said she continues to actively support the efforts of both leaders.
Her message to the people of Cyprus is that they must actively support the important efforts underway. “There is no room for complacency. The world is at a critical point, with rapid and often unpredictable changes. During the years without negotiations, realities on the island have also changed significantly. There is now an opportunity to move toward a solution to the longstanding Cyprus problem, and this opportunity must be seized not only by the leaders but by all Cypriots.”
What is needed from leaders and society
Asked what is required from the leaders and the public for the process to succeed, Holguín stated: “Creativity, determination and a sincere willingness to understand the needs and expectations of people on both sides.” In this context, she highlighted the work of the recently established Technical Committee on Youth as “an inspiration for all”.
She emphasised that the dialogue between the two leaders must be well prepared and structured, and that political will remains essential. “Many on the island hope that the two leaders can make history,” she said. “After so many failed attempts, we must be sure that this time the process truly succeeds. This is very important for Cypriots and for the UN. Cyprus and the region cannot afford another negotiating process ending in failure.”
Source: CNA