Cyprus makes representations to the UN over UNSG Special Adviser’s meeting with Turkish FM in the occupied areas
Cyprus government has made representations to the United Nations over a meeting the UNSG Special Adviser Alexander Downer had with the Turkish FM in the so called “Turkish embassy” in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, on Saturday.
The complaint was made to the UNSG Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Tasos Tzionis.
The Cyprus FM also asked the country’s permanent representative to the UN to make representations at the highest level to the UN Secretariat in New York.
According to an announcement issued Monday by the FM, the Cyprus government wished to express its deepest disappointment and disapproval for the meeting the UNSG Special Adviser held in the Turkish-occupied areas. It is pointed out that the Special Adviser has violated with his action the UN Resolution, especially at a period when the Cyprus President is making efforts for the resumption of the talks between the two communities on the island.
Turkey`s FM Ahmet Davutoglou paid an illegal visit to the occupied areas last Saturday and met with the Turkish Cypriot leader and UNSG Special Adviser. On Friday, Turkish FM was in Athens and held a meeting with his Greek counterpart.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern part.
The latest round of UN-backed negotiations to reunite the island under a federal roof came to a halt in the summer of 2012.
The last few weeks the UN have been meeting with the negotiators of the two communities in an effort to resume the talks.