The UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus expressed optimism on Saturday following talks with President Nikos Christodoulides ahead of a planned meeting between the island’s community leaders next week.
María Ángela Holguín told reporters the upcoming Thursday session marks a positive shift after a period of inaction, calling it a “good sign” that leaders will meet after years without such discussions.
“I’m very happy to be back on the island. I had a very productive meeting with Mr Christodoulides. I think we were inspired by this wonderful meeting with young people in Amman,” Holguín said after Saturday morning’s session at the Presidential Palace.
The envoy said preparations are underway for Thursday’s meeting and expressed hope it will be substantive and productive.
Holguín noted that leaders in Cyprus haven’t held meetings for years. She said that if the leaders can succeed and move forward, the community needs to support them in this direction.
“I’m quite optimistic and we’ll see how the meeting on the 11th goes,” she said.
Christodoulides, welcoming Holguín, said he looks forward to the 11 December meetings.
“We are ready to start working substantively. We rely on your support, on the support of the UN Secretary-General, on his political will, on his political commitment, and I’m ready to discuss the next steps,” he said.
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