NICOSIA, Jan 30, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - New United Nations Cyprus envoy Maria 
Angela Holguin Cuellar began a mission Tuesday to test the waters for a fresh 
round of talks on ending the Mediterranean island's five decades of division.

Holguin held a first meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, 
who is also the island's internationally recognised president, before 
crossing the UN-patrolled ceasefire line to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin 
Tater.

"I come from a country that lived 50 years of conflict and was part of that 
team that reached a peace agreement," the Colombian diplomat told reporters 
after meeting Christodoulides.

"I think I can collaborate and do all my best for a good result for Cyprus... 
and push again," she said.

Following her recent appointment by UN chief Antonio Guterres, Holguin is 
tasked with gauging whether there is sufficient common ground for the world 
body to relaunch Cyprus reunification talks after a seven-year hiatus.

The European Union member state has been divided since 1974 when Turkish 
forces occupied the island's northern third in response to a military coup 
sponsored by the junta then in power in Athens seeking to annex the island to 
Greece.

The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which Turkish Cypriot 
leaders proclaimed in 1983, is recognised only by Ankara.

Efforts to reunify the island have been at a standstill since the last round 
of UN-backed talks collapsed in 2017.
Diplomats largely blamed the Greek Cypriot side for the talks' collapse, 
noting that the concessions on the table from the Turkish side were an 
improvement on all previous reunification plans.

But the breakdown has prompted a tougher line from the Turkish Cypriots, who 
have demanded that with no reunification deal in sight, the international 
community accept a two-state solution.

The Greek Cypriots say that is now the main stumbling block to relaunching 
talks.

Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said there was "no time 
frame" for the new UN bid but the Greek Cypriot side had "reaffirmed our 
commitment to engage in this new period".

"Of course, we believe that, if there is the same political will on the other 
side, the resumption of negotiations can occur very soon," he added.

Over the next few days, Holguin is also scheduled to meet other officials and 
civil society groups to test the waters for a new reunification push.

Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot leader stood ready to hold another meeting 
with the envoy before she leaves, either alone or alongside his Turkish 
Cypriot counterpart.

Ahead of Holguin's visit, Christodoulides promised a package of new measures 
benefiting Turkish Cypriots Friday, in what he said was a bid to build trust 
between the two communities.

It includes pledges to fast-track Turkish Cypriot applications for Cyprus 
citizenship, offer pensions to widows, expand trade and boost access to 
Muslim places of worship.

The talks that collapsed in 2017 were widely billed as the last chance for a 
Cyprus settlement so any new reunification push is likely be a very tall 
order.

"The prospects of a solution that everyone can accept are gradually fading," 
the UN chief said in his latest report on Cyprus where the world body has had 
peacekeepers deployed since 1964.