The United Nations envoy tasked with helping resolve Cyprus’s decades-long division has expressed cautious optimism, while stressing that the process is still not ready for a large, multi-party summit.
Speaking to Cyprus’s Phileleftheros newspaper, UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin said she felt encouraged after meeting separately with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on December 11. According to Holguin, the conversations were meaningful and honest, with both sides agreeing to place greater emphasis on confidence-building measures.
She described the discussions as deep, sincere, and very straightforward, noting that they marked a positive step forward. However, she also made it clear that progress remains fragile.
While the early signs are promising, Holguin said the dialogue is still at a very early stage. Much more work is needed to strengthen trust and create the right conditions before UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres could consider convening a so-called 5+1 informal meeting.
The proposed 5+1 format would bring together representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, along with the UN Secretary-General and officials from Britain, Turkey, and Greece. These three NATO countries are guarantor powers under the 1960 treaty that granted Cyprus independence from British rule. Such a meeting would aim to chart a way forward and revive peace talks that have been stalled for nearly seven years.
Cyprus has remained divided for more than half a century. A power-sharing government between Greek and Turkish Cypriots collapsed in 1963. In 1974, Turkey intervened militarily in the north of the island following a brief coup backed by the then-ruling military junta in Greece. Since then, the island has been split along ethnic lines.
Today, Turkish Cypriots live in a self-declared state in the north, recognized only by Turkey. Greek Cypriots govern the south, which is internationally recognized and represents the entire island within the European Union.
At the heart of Holguin’s message is patience. The talks may be slow, but they have restarted. Trust, she emphasized, cannot be rushed.
And for ordinary Cypriots who have lived with division for generations, even small steps matter. Dialogue, however early, keeps hope alive. Peace may not be immediate, but as long as conversations continue, the door to reconciliation remains open.
