Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stressed on Sunday the continuous efforts of the government for the resumption of talks aimed at settling the Cyprus issue. At the same time, he welcomed the announcement made by the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, regarding the need for building trust and pointed out that despite the fact that Holguin is not in the island right now they are in constant communication.

President Christodoulides was replying to a question after a memorial service in Dali, about a media statement issued by the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, who said that it is crucial to build trust, the President of the Republic said that building trust between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey was necessary.

“I welcome the fact that she issued this specific statement to everyone,” he said and added that he was in constant communication with Holguin.

“She may not be in Cyprus, but we are in constant communication; she will come to Cyprus to continue her efforts,” he added.

President Christodoulides also emphasised the importance of the announcement indicating that the entire effort stemmed from the terms of the Secretary-General’s mandate, the specific framework for a solution, which is none other than the bicommunal, bizonal federation, adding that “this effort continues.”

He added that despite the difficulties and challenges, there was no other option but to do whatever’s possible, so that talks can resume, to use what has been achieved so far, and to achieve the goal of the resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Asked if there was anything from the Turkish side that could indicate a window for the resumption of dialogue, President Christodoulides said that “many contacts are being made, many meetings are taking place,” and “not everything is made public,” adding that “at the end of the day, everyone and everything will be judged by the final outcome.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.