Holguin urges action on Cyprus confidence-building measures to foster trust

Nicosia, Cyprus. United Nations envoy for the Cyprus problem Maria Angela Holguin said on Saturday that confidence-building measures must be put into practice to build trust and provide tangible evidence of political commitment to rapprochement. Speaking to Politis, she questioned how the sides could reach a comprehensive settlement when they had failed to agree on practical cooperation over the past two years.

Limited progress as divisions deepen

Holguin pointed to the lack of agreement on a crossing point to improve communication, demining or a shared initiative against plastic pollution throughout Cyprus. She asked how, without progress on those issues, the parties could agree on a political, economic and social framework able to overcome decades of separation and the increasing distance between the communities.

She said the stalemate had persisted while divisions were becoming more pronounced each day.

Although talks were not taking place, Holguin said the UN had maintained its commitment through its presence on the island and its readiness to assist both sides. She stressed that the leaders were responsible for deciding whether to restart negotiations.

Meanwhile, she said, the UN continued supporting contact between the communities and strengthening links between the leaders who would shape an eventual settlement.

Technical committees remain a priority

Holguin highlighted the bicommunal technical committees as evidence of the results cooperation could deliver. Supporting their work remained a UN priority in Cyprus, she said.

She also discussed a document under preparation that would record areas of convergence reached during earlier negotiations. While both sides knew what had already been negotiated, she said the UN’s review had been more focused.

According to Holguin, the organisation had examined several documents that could help once the parties chose to restart formal talks. The compilation would be presented only when negotiations began, rather than being made public beforehand.

She explained that this approach reflected the UN’s determination not to introduce material that might generate additional disputes and cause further setbacks.

Leaders asked to discuss negotiating approach

Holguin said the UN had invited Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and President Nikos Christodoulides to address the methodology of negotiations at their weekly meetings. She emphasised the importance of that issue.