Our View: This is the endgame of the Cyprus problem as we know it
Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s envoy for the Cyprus problem, is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on Monday and will begin her meetings on Tuesday. The Greek Cypriots had been requesting the appointment of an envoy for two years, which was eventually granted despite Turkish Cypriot objections and a lack of common ground between the two sides. The Turkish Cypriot leadership demands separate sovereignty, while the Greek Cypriot leadership supports a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Holguin, who has previously served as Colombia’s foreign minister for eight years and as a permanent representative at the UN, is tasked with a challenge that over two dozen envoys before her have failed to overcome due to the lack of political will for compromise by the two sides. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has noted that the prospects of a solution are gradually fading.
The Turkish side has stipulated that Holguin’s mission should not exceed six months, implying that if no agreement for resumption of talks is reached within this period, it is unlikely to be achieved later. This could be the last chance for a UN-brokered settlement, and failure may lead to the end of the UN’s efforts and the withdrawal of Unficyp.
Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is aware of the critical stage of the Cyprus problem and has acknowledged that the status quo is unsustainable. He has recently announced 14 measures to provide Turkish Cypriots with access to the Republic’s services, demonstrating goodwill ahead of the new UN initiative.
