Olguin Returns to Cyprus Ahead of Five-Party Meeting

The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, María Ángela Holguín, is expected to return to Cyprus earlier than late July, ahead of the informal five-party meeting on the Cyprus issue in New York. President Nikos Christodoulides stated that there is an agreement with the parties on the date of the meeting under the UN Secretary-General.

Ms. Holguín will attempt to create parameters to change the climate between the parties, hoping for a realistic depiction of their willingness to accept the minimums concerning the current phase. The aim is to reach an agreement on certain Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), based on the instructions of António Guterres.

President Christodoulides linked the lack of progress on CBMs to the electoral process for the election of a new Turkish Cypriot leader, describing it as a deterrent factor. He also mentioned that he sees interest from Turkey regarding the European Union.