Geneva Conference in Greek Cypriot Press: Skepticism Toward Holguín’s Return

Greek Cypriot newspaper Politis reported that barring any unexpected developments, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to keep Holguín as his personal envoy on Cyprus ahead of a broader meeting scheduled for July. The paper noted that while TRNC President Ersin Tatar has already accepted Holguín’s return, the Greek Cypriot side has yet to respond, placing them in a difficult position.

The report stated that Holguín’s main role before the July talks would be to facilitate agreements on Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), particularly the opening of new border crossings. However, it was noted that no specific crossing points were agreed upon during the Geneva meeting, as both sides have their own priorities and red lines.

Meanwhile, Fileleftheros highlighted ongoing EU involvement, reporting that the European Union had sent letters to the UN Secretary-General regarding the conference. The paper also noted that Cyprus’ role within the EU was a topic of discussion between Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, including potential European Investment Bank projects in Turkey.

Alithia took a more critical tone, claiming that the Turkish side interpreted the Geneva discussions as a success in fostering "good neighborly relations" and a "culture of cooperation" rather than making concessions. The paper suggested that Turkey had temporarily set aside its push for a two-state solution while aiming to prolong the current status quo with international legitimacy.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Geneva discussions, the agreement to hold an expanded meeting in July was considered a positive outcome. However, diplomatic sources emphasized that any further negotiations must focus on the core aspects of the Cyprus issue and require careful preparation.