United Nations envoy in Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin said “we must think differently” to find a solution to the Cyprus problem in an open letter penned on Sunday ahead of the submission of her report to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the week.
She said her time as envoy has “focused on a constant search for paths that lead to generating trust between the parties”, and that it is now “important to move away from solutions that in the past have created expectations that were not met and led to greater disagreements and frustrations”.
“Now, we must think differently, remaining convinced that a common future would bring great opportunities to all Cypriots,” she said.
She said that based on her experiences as envoy and “after extensively researching the island’s history”, she has come to the conclusion that “too many years have been spent in confrontation; too much time blaming the other side.”
“The status quo has created greater distance and lack of knowledge of the other, and this grows with each passing day. As a mechanism to avoid further frustration, without a doubt linked to the failed negotiation attempts, many people seem to have surrendered to the impossibility of changing the current situation,” she said.
She said her visits to Cyprus have shown her that “commemorations and monuments remind us not of the glory but the failure of efforts to reach an agreement on the island.”
“It reveals a Cyprus frozen in time. This is exactly what we have the opportunity to change now.”
She then moved on to the matter of potential future negotiations, saying that should they come about, “it is important to recognise and understand the past”.
“This is particularly true in Cyprus, whose (sic) history has been marked by so much suffering and loss. However, this past should not be an insurmountable obstacle to move towards a solution that benefits all Cypriots, including those who believe that they do not need to change,” she said.
She added that Cyprus “has the potential to be a prosperous country in a troubled region in need of stability”.
“Undoubtedly, respecting differences and parallel developments, Cypriots could become reliable partners for many in the world. Steps towards unity will certainly contribute to security on the island and to the feeling of being able to live in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity,” she said.
“I reiterate my invitation to connect with a common future and, above all, to seek solutions that enhance the value of each side. To heal the past and improve the present, everyone must look at the future in a healthier and more hopeful way,” she said.
She added, “while recognising the challenges, I believe that Cypriots could have a brighter and more positive outlook if they could reconcile with their history of pain.”
She also mentioned Cyprus’ young people, saying “they deserve a different life with equal opportunities so that their future is not cut short by the past.”
Subsequent to this, her letter briefly focused on the field of neuroscience, saying insights in the field have “broadened my understanding of some behaviours in Cyprus”.
“They suggest that the brain perceives reality by merging past beliefs with new experiences. These beliefs, formed, inherited, and reinforced during childhood, are deeply ingrained within the brain, which loses the ability to assimilate new information,” she said.
As a result, she said, “when a painful past is repeatedly taught, it becomes impossible for people to be open to change and believe in a hopeful, common, and better future.”
Drawing towards a conclusion, she said that “great transformations” are “not exempt from criticism and accusations”.
“There will always be sectors that prefer the status quo to compromise their positions. There will always be people who predict in advance the bad things that are going to happen. Some sectors perceive even minor changes as a threat or betrayal,” she said.
She countered that “history teaches us that positive changes occur when leaders recognise what is at stake and focus on the long-term wellbeing of their communities.”
“I am convinced that Cyprus deserves and can find reconciliation and a new way forward,” she said.
She confirmed that her report would be submitted to Guterres on Wednesday, but that her commitment will not be “over” at that point.
Instead, she said, “I will continue to think on options for a lasting solution”.
She said Guterres will decide the steps to be taken in the coming months, and that “I remain optimistic”.
“I … ask all Cypriots to encourage and pressure their leaders to work for a better and secure future. The leaders must show will and decisiveness for real progress,” she said.
