The Cyprus issue settlement topped, along with the migration crisis, the agenda of a meeting the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker has today in Brussels.
The two high officials called for a solution this year, “before the end of the Secretary General`s term in office”
“President Juncker and I discussed the support of the EU to the efforts of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders to bring about the peaceful settlement in Cyprus under the auspices of the UN good offices. I thank President Juncker for the exemplary cooperation between the UN and the Commission in these efforts”, stated the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Asked if one should expect a solution this year, he explained that he is “encouraged by the show of commitment by the leaders of the Cypriot communities to make advances”.
“I know that this involves a complicated process. The two leaders have shown special commitment and my special envoy Mr. Eide is always working very closely with the two leaders so that they can make a decision. During many years they have identified all the pending issues that need to be done and they have made good progress in some agendas but they have to do some more. All the pending issues are on the table. It is a matter of choice. What kind of measures they would like,” Ban said.
Therefore, he continued, “I am strongly encouraging them to make progress. Of course if they make such a good decision before the end of this year, it would be most welcome, and the effect (would be most welcome) not only for the people of the two communities but for the whole world and the European Union countries.”
“I will do my best to encourage them and support them in the difficult process of making decisions”, the UN Secretary General concluded.
In his remarks, Juncker stressed that “this is a good moment to bring this sometimes painful process to an end”.
“I am personally engaged and involved in that process. Our people are working closely together on the ground with the special envoy of the UN. I had the pleasure to receive together the two chief negotiators of the two communities in Brussels. My feeling is that the two leaders are doing their best in order to bring this process to an end and I would strongly suggest to them to bring this process to an end before the end of the mandate of the Secretary General. That would be a marvelous farewell gift”, concluded the EC President.
UN-led peace talks are currently underway in Cyprus between the leaders of the island’s two communities, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, with a view to reunite the country under a federal roof. Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.