cyprus issue — The European Union remains committed to supporting United Nations efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated after her conversation with UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin on Tuesday.
This phone call marked a significant step ahead of Holguin’s visit to Brussels on Wednesday, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ anticipated trip to Cyprus next week. The dialogue comes amidst a renewed push for diplomatic engagement aimed at restarting negotiations over the divided island.
Kallas described her conversation with Holguin as “a good phone conversation,” highlighting their discussion on recent developments concerning Cyprus. “The EU remains firmly committed to supporting the UN-led efforts for Cyprus,” she affirmed, signalling a strong alignment between EU and UN objectives.
Emphasising the critical need for progress, Kallas noted the importance of maintaining momentum towards a comprehensive settlement. Both officials agreed to continue their discussions during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September, indicating a shared urgency to advance the peace process.
Following her talks in Brussels, Holguin is scheduled to meet European Commission Cyprus envoy Raffaele Fitto before travelling to Ankara for discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday. These meetings are part of a broader strategy to reinvigorate dialogue and explore pathways toward a peaceful resolution.
As the diplomatic landscape shifts, Guterres’ forthcoming visit to Cyprus next week adds another layer of intensity to the negotiations. He is set to hold separate meetings with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. A joint meeting between the two leaders is also on the agenda, underscoring the importance of direct dialogue in the pursuit of a sustainable settlement.
Both Christodoulides and Erhurman have expressed a clear expectation that any future meeting must yield meaningful progress rather than simply serve as another round of discussions. This sentiment reflects a growing impatience for tangible outcomes after years of stalled negotiations.
In addition to the immediate meetings, Holguin’s role includes efforts to convene a larger gathering involving the two sides, the three guarantor powers, and the United Nations later this year. This initiative aims to create a conducive environment for the resumption of formal Cyprus settlement negotiations, reflecting a collective commitment to finding a lasting resolution.
The EU’s support for UN initiatives is pivotal at this juncture, as it seeks to bolster the efforts of all parties involved in the delicate balancing act of Cyprus diplomacy. The stakes are high, and the coming weeks will be crucial for shaping the future of the talks.
