Holguin says UN continues Cyprus efforts after meeting Christodoulides

New York, United States. United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin said the UN was “continuing its efforts” on the Cyprus problem after meeting President Nikos Christodoulides on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

She described the meeting as “good” and “constructive”. Christodoulides did not immediately comment.

Diplomatic meetings

The meeting took place amid increased diplomatic activity on the Cyprus problem in New York. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Burnham, the prime minister of Cyprus’ third guarantor power, also met Christodoulides.

Later this week, Christodoulides is expected to meet Guterres, while Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman is due to meet both Holguin and Guterres.

Erdogan’s address

Erdogan referred to the Cyprus problem in his address to the General Assembly, saying “the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people” must be recognised.

“I call upon the international community to recognise and establish political, diplomatic, and economic relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” he said, adding that “the inhumane isolation to which [the Turkish Cypriots] have been subjected must finally come to an end”.

Christodoulides is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Wednesday. Burnham delivered his speech late on Tuesday, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to speak on Thursday.

No concrete progress

Despite the diplomatic activity, no concrete progress has been made on the Cyprus problem since Guterres visited Cyprus in July.

At that time, Guterres said he would convene an enlarged meeting involving the island’s two sides, the three guarantor powers of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and the UN, “after adequate progress” had been achieved on confidence-building measures, the methodology and the substance of talks.

Christodoulides and Erhurman have met three times since July, but no concrete progress has been recorded. The two sides remain in disagreement over the meaning of political equality, crossing points and the methodology of the talks.