Possibility of UN special advisor to help negotiations welcomed
THE UN Security Council (UNSC) has expressed its approval of the ongoing political developments in Cyprus.
The statement was made by the South African president of the body Dumisani S. Kumalo on Thursday.
“The Security Council warmly welcomes the March 21 agreement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders and commends them for the political leadership they have shown,” it reads.
The UNSC perceived the opening of the Ledra Street crossing “as an indication of political will to tackle issues that have obstructed progress, and an important signal that both sides seek to improve the lives of all Cypriots.”
The council said it is encouraged by the launch of the working groups and technical committees, “that will prepare the ground for the start of fully fledged negotiations, in a spirit of good faith, on a comprehensive and durable settlement.”
The UNSC did not hide its optimism for the future, looking “forward to the results of this preparatory process within the three-month timeline agreed by the two leaders, which it is hoped will build trust, momentum and a sense of common interest in the search for a just and lasting solution.”
Council members reaffirmed their commitment “to the reunification of Cyprus based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation and political equality.”
The UNSC also welcomed the readiness of the Secretary-General to assist the parties in Cyprus, as well as “the prospect of the appointment, after the completion of the preparatory period and based on progress, of a Special Adviser to facilitate movement towards a comprehensive settlement.”
Finally, the UNSC hailed the appointment of Ethiopian Tay-Brook Zerihoun as the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative to Cyprus.
Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Andreas Mavroyiannis expressed his satisfaction at the statement.
“We are very happy that the Council has set out very clearly the parameters of the sought after solution as well as its readiness to help and assist the Secretary-General and his Mission of Good offices and we welcome this commitment by the Security Council”.
UK Permanent Representative Sir John Sawers said that “the whole Council has been encouraged by recent developments adding that confidence on all sides has been “boosted”.
He expressed the belief that it is a measure of political will of the two leaders on the island “and we commend them for that”.
Sawer added that there’s still work to be done, noting that “this issue, the solution to the division of Cyprus has eluded us for four decades”.
However, he said, “there is a real opportunity now to take this forward and we will do all we can to take this forward.”
