Holguín Expected to Return to Cyprus on 6 June Ahead of Possible Expanded Talks

Cyprus daily Politis reported, citing what it described as reliable sources, that Holguín’s visit would be followed by meetings in Athens and Ankara as part of efforts to assess conditions for a possible expanded 5+1 format meeting involving the guarantor powers.

The report claimed the information was first revealed by Turkish Cypriot journalist Yusuf Kanlı, who said Holguín is expected to arrive in Cyprus around 6 June, travel to Ankara around 15 June for consultations, and later continue discussions in Athens.

According to the same sources, the purpose of the contacts is to determine whether conditions are in place for a broader negotiating format that would include the guarantor states.

The report also suggested that one of the parties to the talks confirmed Holguín’s planned return, and indicated that the visit may be linked to a possible UN initiative by Secretary-General António Guterres aimed at bringing the sides back to the negotiating table in June.

Holguín last visited Cyprus on 28 January, when she facilitated a meeting in the buffer zone between President Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides. Since then, the two leaders have held three face-to-face meetings.

Politis further noted that Christodoulides has repeatedly stated that an initiative by the UN Secretary-General aimed at achieving progress on the Cyprus issue before the end of his term remains under development.

The newspaper also claimed that “reliable sources” from both sides in recent months have confirmed the existence of such an initiative.