UN confirms Holguin to meet Christodoulides and Erhurman on November 9

Nicosia, Cyprus. The United Nations announced on Thursday that the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin will hold a joint meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Monday, November 9, at 11am.

Meeting details

In a statement, the UN in Cyprus said Holguin will receive the two leaders at the residence of the Head of Mission, located inside the UN Protected Area.

Related: Turkish FM Fidan Meets Erhurman Days Before Trilateral Talks With Christodoulides and Holguin

RelatedTurkish FM Fidan Meets Erhurman Days Before Trilateral Talks With Christodoulides and Holguin

Christodoulides signals optimism

Earlier on Thursday, Christodoulides said he was hopeful about possible favourable steps on the Cyprus problem. He said Holguin had told him by telephone that concrete announcements might come during the weekend.

He described the present moment as one of waiting for final replies, and said the information reaching him suggested things were moving in a positive direction. According to him, the Secretary-General is receiving constant updates, and he said he sincerely hoped good news would be announced.

Fidan visit and crossing points

Asked about reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was due in the occupied north on Friday, Christodoulides said he knew nothing more about a possible trip than what had appeared in the press.

He was also asked whether the expected developments related to opening further crossing points. He replied that the talks went beyond that issue, and recalled that the initiative begun right after the Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus covers methodology, substance and confidence-building measures. “The discussion is broader,” he stressed.

Christodoulides added: “The concern and desire of the Cypriot people are entirely justified.”