The long-dormant peace process on the divided island of Cyprus enters a pivotal phase this week as the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities are set to meet jointly with the United Nations’ senior envoy. The tripartite gathering, scheduled for Thursday, represents the most significant diplomatic engagement in years, with the international community cautiously hopeful it may pave the way for a formal resumption of negotiations.
United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Angela Holguin, has been conducting intensive shuttle diplomacy since her arrival on the island late last week. Her mission, following separate preparatory meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, is to assess the feasibility of restarting substantive talks. The process has been in a state of profound stalemate since the collapse of the last major initiative at Crans-Montana in 2017.
Holguin’s strategy involves a meticulous, step-by-step approach. Prior to the main event, the chief negotiators from both sides are expected to meet, aiming to align positions on practical and procedural matters. The envoy’s discussions have reportedly centered on tangible Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), which are seen as essential for fostering trust between the two communities. A primary focus has been the chronic congestion at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point in Nicosia, a daily reminder of the island’s division. Erhurman has pointedly suggested that "problems could be significantly alleviated... if the three cabins on the southern side were staffed permanently." Additional crossing points at Mia Milia, Louroujina, and Athienou are also under consideration.
In a symbolic gesture of shared purpose, Christodoulides and Erhurman are planned to undertake a joint visit to the Committee on Missing Persons on the morning of their meeting with Holguin. This institution, which works to locate and identify individuals who disappeared during the island’s conflicts, underscores the human dimension underlying the political impasse. Concurrently, European Union envoy Johannes Hahn is also on the island, coordinating closely with Holguin and meeting both leaders, highlighting the EU’s vested interest in a resolution within its own territory.
The implications of Thursday’s meeting are substantial. The Greek Cypriot administration has expressed its desire for the encounter to establish a clear reference point from which formal negotiations can recommence. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis has reiterated a push for an "informal extended meeting" involving guarantor powers, to be convened "in the shortest possible time." Holguin’s itinerary, which includes subsequent travel to Ankara and Athens, is designed precisely to gauge the potential for setting a date for such a broader, multilateral conference.
While optimism remains guarded, Holguin has signaled a degree of encouragement, stating after her meeting with Christodoulides, "I’m encouraged by the productive conversation I had... I hope the upcoming meeting will be meaningful and yield tangible results." The outcome of this week’s diplomacy will ultimately hinge not only on the political will of the leaders but also on their ability to carry their respective communities forward. As the island watches, the meeting at the buffer zone may determine whether Cyprus moves toward a new chapter of dialogue or remains entrenched in a familiar deadlock.