Brussels, Belgium. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, met European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.
The meetings focused on future cooperation between the United Nations and the European Commission regarding the Cyprus issue.
Coordination with the European Commission
According to a source familiar with the discussions, the meetings at the European Commission headquarters took place in a positive atmosphere, with both sides expressing enthusiasm about future cooperation.
Holguin and Fitto agreed to remain in direct contact, underscoring the importance of close coordination between the United Nations and the European Commission. The discussions also highlighted the Commission’s channel of communication with Turkey and reaffirmed support for Guterres’ efforts.
Further developments are expected after Guterres visits Cyprus at the end of July, the source said.
Further meetings planned
No meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa was scheduled because he is away from Brussels. Holguin’s meetings were not intended to take place at the level of EU institution heads.
Holguin is expected to meet Costa’s diplomatic adviser, Anna-Maria Boura, on Thursday. Her full programme of meetings with EU officials before departing for Ankara on Friday has not been made public.
Meeting with Kaja Kallas
On Tuesday evening, Holguin held talks with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Following the meeting, Kallas said the European Union remains firmly committed to supporting the UN-led process aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.
