Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides informed the Permanent Representatives of the five Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on his ongoing efforts to restart negotiations on the Cyprus issue, as well as the Republic of Cyprus’ efforts aiming at the de-escalation of tensions in the region, during a working lunch they had in New York on Friday, September 27.
According to Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, President Christodoulides also informed the diplomats about the constructive meeting he recently had with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the latter’s initiative to convene a joint meeting between President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in the presence of the UN SG.
This effort, which aims to revive the negotiations has been welcomed by the Republic of Cyprus as it reflects the UN’s SG continued commitment to resolving the long-standing dispute and has been supported and reinforced by the Republic of Cyprus, the Spokesman said.
L
etymbiotis added that the Cypriot President also briefed the UNSC members Permanent Representatives on the various initiatives undertaken by Cyprus, particularly within the framework of the European Union, to de-escalate tensions in the region. He also referred to the implementation of 14 unilateral measures to support the Turkish Cypriot community.
“All five Permanent Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment and clear will towards the agreed framework, as set out in all relevant Security Council resolutions. They also expressed hope for a joint meeting with the Secretary-General, offering their support to both Guterres’ and President Christodoulides’ efforts,” Letymbiotis noted.
He also said that the discussion during the lunch also touched upon the broader regional developments and that all parties agreed that de-escalation was urgent and necessary. President Christodoulides outlined Cyprus’ efforts, especially as the closest EU member state to the affected region, to de-escalate the cr
isis, the Spokesman said.
He added that the UN Security Council members acknowledged Cyprus’ role as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. They praised the Republic of Cyprus for its initiative, ‘Amalthea,’ which established a humanitarian maritime aid corridor, significantly helping to alleviate the humanitarian crisis for civilians in Gaza.
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency