Dialogos

UN: Leaders of Both Communities Must Build New Dynamic of Dialogue

Published February 15, 2026, 12:02
UN: Leaders of Both Communities Must Build New Dynamic of Dialogue

The UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy to Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, calls on the leaders of both communities to continue their meetings and explore new ways to restart negotiations. She emphasizes the importance of direct communication between the two leaders, without the mediating role of the UN, and proposes the creation of a “new model of interaction”. Ms. Holguin notes that the last joint meeting with the leaders aimed to explore paths for possible negotiations in the future. She points out that the leaders need time for their ideas to mature and to address the internal challenges that exist on each side. She also points out that there are unfulfilled commitments to confidence-building measures that were agreed in Geneva in March 2025. She claims that in a conflict lasting over half a century, leaders must be careful not to disappoint their societies with new failures. Finally, she mentions that 2026 is expected to be a period of increased activity in Cyprus, with the Republic of Cyprus taking over the Presidency of the Council of the EU.