The United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, warned on Tuesday that a lack of progress on confidence-building measures is making the convening of an expanded 5+1 conference on the Cyprus problem “very difficult.”
Speaking after a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace, Holguin noted that despite efforts to push for greater movement on confidence-building measures (CBMs), results have been limited.
“So far there is not much progress,” Holguin said, adding that any potential meeting next month depends entirely on the two leaders’ ability to move forward on CBMs.
The envoy is scheduled to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman later Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, she will host a joint meeting with both leaders to discuss methodology and a four-point proposal previously tabled by Erhürman.
Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said following the meeting that Christodoulides remains committed to resuming negotiations from where they left off at Crans-Montana. He added that the president will present a “very specific” proposal during Wednesday’s joint session.
“If there is genuine political will, this will be revealed at the negotiating table,” Letymbiotis said. He emphasised that negotiations must restart as soon as possible in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
The spokesman dismissed suggestions that the UN was deviating from the agreed framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. He noted that Holguin’s mandate is strictly guided by Security Council resolutions.
Letymbiotis also highlighted that the Greek Cypriot side has submitted several proposals, including one for a new pedestrian crossing point, which have yet to be accepted. He rejected the idea that blame for the impasse should be apportioned at this stage, focusing instead on the need for a constructive atmosphere.
“We are ready, even tomorrow, to attend an expanded meeting,” Letymbiotis said, noting that the UN Secretary-General had previously aimed for such a conference before the end of 2025.
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