Cyprus deserves to find reconciliation and a new road forward remains possible, said Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy, in an open letter made public only days prior to delivering a relevant progress report to Antonio Guterres.
Engaging with sources indicating that her mandate (which was scheduled to end tomorrow) might be definitively over, Holguin said that her commitment has not concluded and will continue to consider alternative solutions towards a viable settlement of the Cyprus issue.
The UN chief’s personal envoy, who launched her effort in February noted that it was up to the Secretary General to decide on the next steps over the months to follow, but she remains optimistic, asking all Cypriots to encourage and push their leaders in working for a better and safer future. She further stressed the need for both to display the necessary will and determination in achieving real progress.
‘It’s important to steer away from solutions that have created unfulfilled expectations in the past and actually led to more disagreement and disappointments’, Holguin added and also stressed that we must all think differently now, remaining convinced that a common future will bring about great opportunities for all Cypriots.
‘You must need to overcome the history of pain’, was her advice for Cypriots, coupled with the belief that free of this pain, the country could enjoy a brighter, more positive prospect.
In her letter, Holguin noted that she set out in February, mandated by Antonio Guterres to investigate ‘whether there were favourable conditions in Cyprus to kickstart negotiations that would lead to a final, viable settlement and five months later she held her last meetings with the two leaders, Nicos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar’.
She outlined similarities between Cyprus and her homeland of Colombia, saying that ‘Cyprus is a new country for me but also very homely. I never imagined I would find scenery on this beautiful island, similar as those in my own country Colombia’, referring to olive trees, abundant in both places, a symbol of peace and permanent renewal.
Olgin noted that she met with both leaders and discussed their positions and concerns, adding that in was important for her to understand the vision of political players, civil society and the people of the island. ‘I am very grateful to those who shared their experiences and I bore witness to the generosity and kindness of Cypriots’, she remarked.
On the substance of her efforts, she stressed that the past few months focused on a continued search for ways to create trust between the two parties, as many years have gone by in a climate of conflict and blame games, with the de facto situation ‘forging greater distance and lack of knowledge about the other side’.
Celebrations and monuments, she added, are not a reminder of glory, but failure of efforts to reach an agreement. It reveals an island ‘frozen in time and now we have a chance to change that’.
Holguin reiterated her call to connect with the future and look into solutions that strengthen the value of each side. To heal the past and improve the present, Holguin said, everyone should look towards the future in a healthier and more hopeful manner.
She further referred to her neuroscience background as helping her understand a certain type of behaviour in Cyprus. ‘The brain understands reality by integrating the convictions of the past with new experiences, such convictions shaped and strengthened during childhood, deeply ingrained and refusing to accept new information’.
AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE, NICOSIA SAYS
Holguin sent an encouraging message, said government spokesman Constandinos Letympiotis, indicating a strong will to continue her efforts and convictions for a definitive settlement of the Cyprus issue within the agreed framework.
Letympiotis added that Nicosia shared Holguin’s and the UN Secretary General’s vision for a solution that turns Cyprus into a regional hub of peace, security and prosperity, noting that the personal envoy’s will to move forward, is apt proof of her persistence to create the necessary progress.
‘Since day one’, President Christodoulides’ priority were efforts to lift the deadlock and resume negotiations where they broke off at Crans Montana, always within the agreed framework of a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as established by the UN Security Council.
Letympiotis added that initiatives by the Greek Cypriot side to all directions have and will aim towards creating a positive climate and bringing the process back to life, indicating that Olgin’s appointment reaffirmed the UN Secretary General’s unwavering personal interest in settlement efforts.
He further reiterated the government’s readiness to continue its positive contribution towards efforts at implementing relevant Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, to the benefit of our homeland and future generations.
