UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy María Ángela Holguín has arrived in Brussels for high-level talks with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, signaling a strategic shift toward greater EU involvement in the Cyprus peace process. This marks a departure from her earlier skepticism about the EU's role, as she now views the bloc as a crucial partner to accelerate negotiations.

Holguín’s renewed engagement aims to build momentum ahead of an informal multilateral meeting scheduled in Geneva, where key Cyprus issue parties and the UN Secretary-General will convene. Amidst uncertain frameworks for these talks, Holguín is focusing on enhancing coordination between UN and EU efforts, particularly after the resignation of the EU’s special envoy for Cyprus, Johannes Hahn.

At the same time, discussions are ongoing regarding Turkey’s role and its demands related to visa liberalisation, Customs Union modernization, and participation in EU defense initiatives. However, within the EU, there remains limited appetite for advancing Turkey's accession, with focus staying on other priorities such as the war in Ukraine. Holguín’s Brussels visit underlines the complexities facing international actors as they attempt to align strategies and move the Cyprus negotiations forward.