The government has pointed out that the process of negotiations towards a political settlement in Cyprus has already been determined, noting that nobody can seek increased involvement in the ongoing talks.
“The negotiating process has been determined at the start of the talks and in this process nobody can have increased involvement,” Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said, when asked to comment on the seal of approval the UN Secretary General has given his Cyprus envoy, Alexander Downer, whose impartiality had been questioned in Cyprus.
Downer came under severe criticism from various quarters for saying that “the Greek Cypriots” will assume the six monthly rotating EU presidency in July this year, instead of pointing out that the government of the Republic of Cyprus will exercise the presidency. Political parties have called on the UNSG to relieve Downer of his duties here. Downer has since rectified his remarks.
Stephanou pointed out that the framework of the talks is defined by the relevant UN resolutions, adding that the UN are neither arbitrators nor mediators in the peace process.
“The two sides are negotiating between them to find a solution and the UN support this effort,” he said.
Replying to questions, the Spokesman said talks will continue to find convergences and make progress, noting however that this does not depend solely on the Greek Cypriot side.
“The President attends the talks with a constructive approach. Finding a solution depends also on the Turkish Cypriot side and unfortunately it does not allow progress, being so negative and obstructive,” he said.
On calls by the opposition to appoint a new negotiator for the Greek Cypriot side, to replace the President of the Republic, Stephanou said the government would remain firm on serving the country’s interests, which dictates that President Christofias should continue representing the Greek Cypriot community at the UN-led talks.
“The President will continue the effort which began in 2008 to solve the Cyprus issue on the basis of UN resolutions, the 1977 and 1979 high level agreements (providing for a bizonal bicommunal federation) and the principles of international and European law,” he said.
Stephanou noted that this is a very delicate phase of the Cyprus question.
The Spokesman fended off criticism from the opposition about the outcome of a recent meeting between President Christofias, the Turkish Cypriot leader and the UN Secretary General in New York, saying the President accepted neither timeframes, nor arbitration nor an international conference which does not meet the terms set out by the UN and Nicosia.
Opposition parties have suggested that President Christofias had accepted, albeit indirectly, these three terms as part of the ongoing negotiating process, which began in September 2008 with a view to finding a solution that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.