The UN Security Council, expressed hope that the leaders in Cyprus will take advantage of the opportunity and reach a comprehensive settlement.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Security Council expressed hope that President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu “will take advantage of the opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality,” as set out in the relevant Council resolutions.
“The Security Council reiterates its full support for the process and underlines the benefits that reunification will bring to the island», the members of the 15-nation body said, adding that they look forward to substantive progress in the negotiations as soon as possible.
The Council expressed deep appreciation at the perseverance and commitment of outgoing Special Adviser Alexander Downer, since September 2008, and wished him well in his future endeavours.
In a statement he issued earlier Tuesday on the resumption of the talks, UNSG Ban Ki-moon said that Downer had informed him he would step down as Special Adviser after the two leaders agree on the joint communique.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third
