Ignoring the line of criticism directed at María Ángela Holguín by circles around the Presidential Palace and some of its prominent media supporters, the United Nations Secretariat is raising a protective shield around the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, expressing confidence in her and particularly in the way she is handling the positions of the leaders in Cyprus.
The statement by Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, that António Guterres fully shares the view that more progress is required between the leaders sends a clear message to Nicosia.
A key reference point is Holguín’s opinion piece in the press, in which she realistically and comprehensively described the current stance of the two sides, noting that they are not ready for dialogue at this stage, and encouraged them to seek solutions between themselves, as is their stated wish.
Holguín emphasised the decades‑long stalemate and highlighted that progress depends on the willingness of the sides to demonstrate tangible results. According to the international organisation, this means that the deadlock cannot be attributed solely to Turkish intransigence, despite the continued insistence of the current President and his circle.
Following President Christodoulides’s unacceptable remark about the envoy using “silly arguments”, the United Nations has made it clear that Holguín’s article “reflects the observations of the personal envoy regarding the realities on the ground”. The UN spokesperson added that “the Secretary General has full confidence in his personal envoy and shares the view that more progress is required between the leaders”. He also noted that “there has been no pause in contacts, which continue at various levels in order to support both sides”.
No talks for appearances’ sake
In recent days, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman reiterated that he will not participate in negotiations simply for the sake of negotiating. Speaking to Turkey’s NTV, Erhürman said that there is a strong consultation mechanism with Ankara and that on the Cyprus issue they are aligned with Turkey. He added that agreement has been reached on accepting political equality based on the joint use of areas of shared sovereignty in Cyprus.
Erhürman argued that the rights of Turkish Cypriots “are not limited to existing institutions” and that issues such as security, energy, maritime zones and hydrocarbons stem, as he put it, from “common and equal sovereign rights”. He stressed that “sovereign political equality is essential” and made clear that “Turkish Cypriots will never accept minority status”.
Responding to a question on whether “it is easy or realistic to bring Greek Cypriots to the table”, Erhürman said the question is based on a flawed premise. He underlined that the Cyprus issue has lasted for more than 60 years and that the main struggle of Turkish Cypriots throughout this process is to ensure that their sovereign rights are not bypassed.
Referring to his meeting with the UN Secretary General, Erhürman said he conveyed the message that “leaders who cannot open two crossing points on the island cannot negotiate a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem”. He stated that they are adopting a gradual approach to negotiations, with the first stage being confidence‑building measures that will ease daily life for citizens and serve as a symbolic indication of political will for a solution.