Cyprus leaders must take decisions for moving the peace process forward, UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín said on Friday, speaking after a meeting in Nicosia, on Friday, with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Holguín said her visit aims to prepare the ground for a meeting in September between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the two Cypriot leaders.
“I just had the meeting with Mr. Christodoulides. I am coming to prepare the meeting in September with the Secretary-General, the two leaders. So I want to report to the SG how things are on the island, how is the ambiance. And so this is why I am coming,” she said.
Holguín noted she will continue her contacts in the coming days, including a meeting on Monday with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and with members of the Committee on Missing Persons.
She also plans to visit cemeteries that have been restored in both the “north and the south” of Cyprus, a meeting with the bicommunal Technical Committee on Youth, and contacts with representatives of the the Chambers of Commerce. “I want to see a little bit, a whole picture of how the things are and to report to the SG for the next meeting,” she explained.
Asked if she believes there are realistic prospects for implementing confidence-building measures despite the current political situation, Holguín stressed that the ultimate responsibility lies with the Cypriot leaders.
“The UN and myself and the SG, we are doing all our best, but the leaders have to take decisions,” she said. Holguín is expected to conclude her visit on Tuesday.
cna
