Holguin Holds Key Talks in İstanbul and Brussels on Cyprus Settlement Efforts

Holguín met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in İstanbul on Monday and is scheduled to hold discussions with EU Council President António Costa and European Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Brussels. The meetings will gauge momentum for continued Cyprus reunification efforts following her first round of contacts on the island.

The UN envoy called for building genuine confidence between parties to achieve results at the expanded July meeting, according to her weekend statement.

Fidan’s role is considered pivotal as he manages Cyprus policy for the Turkish government and holds key influence over the current phase of negotiations. Unlike his predecessor, sources indicate he prefers diplomatic engagement while allowing Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to maintain harder positions publicly.

Turkey has not indicated intentions to block Holguín’s mission, contrasting with actions taken one year ago.

The Brussels meetings carry particular significance as the European Union, including through Hahn’s appointment, seeks an active role in Cyprus settlement efforts in connection with EU-Turkey relations. The UN appears willing to include EU participation in the process, marking a shift from previous approaches.

Holguín has less than two months to produce results before the informal five-party meeting scheduled for late July in New York. The timeline is constrained by Turkish Cypriot leadership elections scheduled for October, which sources suggest limit substantive progress possibilities until after the vote.

Turkey’s choice between retaining Tatar or replacing him with challenger Tufan Erhürman reflects broader Ankara strategies for Cyprus negotiations, with leadership selection historically linked to intended policy directions.

In her Saturday statement, Holguín said she was present “to offer support, to promote dialogue and to bring everyone closer together, as the leaders seek to fulfil their commitments as outlined in the outcomes of the Geneva meeting.”

She indicated plans to return to Cyprus before the next informal summit to prepare for the New York multilateral meeting. Interim dialogue will continue through negotiator-level meetings and technical committee sessions, given Tatar’s refusal to meet President Christodoulides directly.

Source: In-Cyprus