United Nations Personal Envoy on Cyprus María Ángela Holguín met civil society representatives on November 3 as diplomatic efforts continued to involve communities from both sides of the divided island in discussions about its political future.
The meeting involved members of the Steering Committee of the Civil Society Consultative Body.
The United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs confirmed the discussions in its November 3 update.
The meeting followed engagement between the consultative body and Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on October 27.
Civil society representatives discuss peace process
The UN said committee members shared their perspectives on the direction of the peace process.
The Civil Society Consultative Body is supported by the United Nations Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.
It provides a structured means for civil society representatives to participate in discussions concerning the island’s future.
The initiative responds to Security Council calls for wider public participation in efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute.
The UN announcement does not identify specific proposals submitted by individual committee members during the November 3 meeting.
Consultations follow October leadership engagement
Members of the consultative body met Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on October 27.
The subsequent discussion with Holguín provided an opportunity to communicate views arising from that engagement.
The United Nations has sought to maintain dialogue between the communities through its diplomatic and peacekeeping arrangements.
The island has remained divided since 1974.
Attempts to reach a comprehensive political settlement have repeatedly encountered disagreements over governance, security and the constitutional arrangements for a reunited Cyprus.
No new political agreement announced
The November 3 statement confirms that consultations took place.
It does not announce an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaderships.
The United Nations also did not publish a timetable for a new round of formal settlement negotiations in the update.
The Civil Society Consultative Body operates as a channel for participation and dialogue.
It does not replace negotiations involving the political representatives of the communities.
The UN’s latest engagement therefore forms part of continuing diplomatic consultations rather than a concluded settlement.
United Nations maintains involvement
The United Nations continues to support political dialogue concerning Cyprus through the Secretary-General’s good offices.
Its peacekeeping presence on the island operates under a separate mandate.
Holguín’s November 3 meeting concerned the political consultation process.
The UN has not reported any change to the island’s territorial administration or security arrangements arising from the meeting.
Further developments will depend on subsequent discussions between the parties and the United Nations.
