An open letter by UN Secretary General personal envoy for Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin was seen as an encouraging message by Nicosia on Sunday, according to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.

In a written statement Letymbiotis noted that “we share with Ms Holguin and the UN Secretary General the same vision for a definitive solution that will make Cyprus an area of peace, security and prosperity in the region”.

He added that Holguin’s will to seek the approach to be followed, with the aim of resuming negotiations within the UN framework, is a tangible proof of her persistence and the perspective she wishes to create.

According to Letymbiotis, “from the first day of taking office, the first concern and priority of President Nikos Christodoulides has been efforts to break the deadlock, to resume negotiations from the point where they have been interrupted and to finally resolve the Cyprus problem. Always within the agreed framework for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality defined by the UN Security Council.”

Letymbiotis added: “Our initiatives in all directions have aimed and continue to aim at creating a positive climate and reviving the process. The appointment of Ms Holguin as the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus was the result of these initiatives, an important development that verified, once again, the undiminished personal interest of the Secretary General himself in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.”

Commenting on Holguin, he said that her commitment as well as her knowledge and experience from similar procedures has added to the joint effort to break the deadlock.

“We reiterate once again our readiness to continue to contribute positively to the efforts of Ms Holguin and the UN Secretary General to implement the UN Security Council resolutions, for the benefit of our country and future generations,” he concluded.

In her open letter to the media, Holguin said Cyprus deserves and can find reconciliation and a new way forward.