UNSG urges Cyprus leaders to work without delay to bridge the remaining differences between their positions

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has urged the two leaders in Cyprus to work without delay to bridge the remaining differences between their positions, building on the principles outlined in the Joint Declaration of February 11, 2014. At the same time, his Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide announced Saturday that he will be coming to Cyprus with “some bridging proposals”.

The UNSG on Saturday met with Turkish Cypriot leader Derviş Eroğlu. A written statement issued at the UN, following the meeting, says that the Secretary-General and Mr. Eroğlu discussed the status of the negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

“The Secretary-General welcomed the recent agreement between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders to move forward in the negotiations, on the basis of the Joint Declaration which they endorsed on 11 February 2014. He urged them to work without delay to bridge the remaining differences between their positions, building on the principles outlined in the Joint Declaration”, the statement concludes.

Speaking through his translator, Dervis Eroglu repeated his views on a “give-take” procedure, arguing that the Greek Cypriot side “must make proposals that take into account the positions of both sides”.

CNA

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