Fileleftheros: Holguín to Return to Cyprus in Late July

The newspaper reported that diplomatic efforts are continuing to pave the way for a new informal expanded conference on the Cyprus issue, while the Greek Cypriot administration is stepping up initiatives aimed at resuming substantive negotiations.

In a report headlined "Holguín Returns at the End of July," Fileleftheros said Holguín is expected to return to Cyprus during the final 10 days of July. During that period, conditions are also expected to become clearer for convening a new informal multilateral conference on the Cyprus issue.

The newspaper added that behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to organize a new expanded conference are continuing.

Meanwhile, according to Alithia, Viktoras Papadopoulos, Director of the Press Office of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, also commented on the Cyprus issue during a memorial event on Thursday.

Papadopoulos said coordinated efforts were under way, both publicly and behind the scenes, to convene a new expanded conference during the summer with the aim of launching substantive negotiations.

He described the current period as critical and decisive for the future of the Cyprus issue, arguing that the Greek Cypriot administration's initiatives had helped create favourable conditions for the UN Secretary-General's latest effort.

Papadopoulos also said the Greek Cypriot strategy is based on securing a more active role for the European Union in the process without compromising what he described as the essence of the Cyprus issue or the sovereign rights of the "Republic of Cyprus."

He further argued that linking the Cyprus issue to Turkey's EU accession process, as reflected in the European Council's conclusions of April 2024, had created new momentum for the UN initiative.

Papadopoulos added that the success of the new initiative by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín would require unity on the domestic front, saying no other political interest should take precedence.