Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, highlighted to his American counterpart, Antony Blinken, the new opportunities that have been created for the Cyprus issue following the assumption of duties by the UNSG’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar.
The two Ministers held a meeting in the framework of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, which took place on Friday in Washington DC.
In his statements to reporters after the conclusion of the meeting, Gerapetritis said that ‘I also raised to Mr. Blinken the Cyprus issue, particularly on the occasion of the assumption of duties by the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General. He added that ‘this is an opportunity to bring attention to the Cyprus issue in order to finally be able to have a viable solution within the framework of the United Nations Security Council resolutions,’ he noted.
Meanwhile, a joint statement on the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue stated, inter alia, that the United States and Greece intend to
continue promoting regional integration, rule of law, good neighborly relations, stability and security in the Western Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean region, and cooperation through the 3+1 format (Greece, Cyprus, Israel, plus the United States).
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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
