‘No timetables’ for next steps, Holguin says (Update 2)

The United Nations Secretary-general’s personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin said there are “no timetables” for her next steps after leaving Cyprus.

She was speaking after meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides for the second time on Saturday morning and added that she “does not know” where her next destination will be.

She said it is possible that she will visit some European capitals in April, and may meet some European Union officials as well.

Evaluating her latest visit to the island, which also included two meetings with Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar, she said “I had very good meetings all week.”

She added that she hopes to “come back with something sometime later.”

Christodoulides also spoke after the meeting, saying he had no interest in “prejudging or speaking publicly about the results of Holguin’s efforts.”

He added, “it not correct and we will not proceed to deal with the Cyprus problem via public statements.

“We are interested in the substance of the matter and Holguin is working towards that substance, which is the resumption of talks,” he said.

He added that he and Holguin are “continuing to work together step by step” towards that goal, and that “I hope and remain positive that at least from our side, that political will has been expressed.”

During her current stay on the island, she has also met with political parties from both sides, with both the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), with both Nicosia Mayors Constantinos Yiorkadjis and Mehmet Harmanci, and various civil society groups.

A “close associate” of Holguin is expected to remain on the island after she departs, to act as her “eyes and ears”. The date of her next visit to Cyprus has not yet been confirmed.

Evaluating her second trip to the island on Saturday afternoon, Holguin said she had “listened to points of view and perspectives to better understand the main difficulties and opportunities.”

“At times it seems that all the paths have been tried and that change is not possible. However, there are always voices which reveal the resilience of societies which dream of a different life, and which show that hope is a necessity and an obligation,” she said.

She added, “the past brings memories of pain and frustration, but also provide us lessons to help build the future and achieve solutions for the benefit of all Cypriots.”