María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, will be in New York this week and is expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Responding to a question from the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) during a press briefing, Dujarric stressed the need for proper preparation before any new expanded "5+1" Cyprus meeting is convened and said that such preparation requires "serious discussions."
In response to a second question regarding Holguín's forthcoming visit to Cyprus, Dujarric said her continued activity demonstrates the United Nations' ongoing engagement in the Cyprus issue.
"You should interpret it as a sign that she, on behalf of the Secretary-General, continues to work on the Cyprus question," he said.
He added that the United Nations continues to engage:
"Both with the Greek Cypriot leadership and with the Turkish Cypriot leadership regarding the future."
The UN spokesperson also stated that:
"Ms Holguín will be in New York this week"
and that, as far as he was aware,
"She will meet with the Secretary-General."
Need for preparation before a new 5+1 meeting
Referring to the prospect of a new informal five-party-plus-one meeting on Cyprus, Dujarric reiterated the UN's longstanding position that any such gathering must be properly prepared beforehand.
"As we have always said, any 5+1 meeting must be properly prepared. And that requires serious discussions."
His remarks come as the United Nations continues contacts with both sides on the island in an effort to maintain momentum in the Cyprus process and assess conditions for future diplomatic engagement.
Source: CNA
