The US supports the best chance in decades for a Cyprus settlement, a US State Department Deputy Spokeperson has said, highlighting however that as for timelines, that is something for Cypriots to decide.
Mark Toner was replying to a question on the Secretary General`s optimism about a solution in Cyprus this year.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks resumed last May aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.
“The United States fully supports the UN-facilitated process under UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide,” he said.
As we have said, he added, “we are encouraged by the progress Cypriot leaders have made in recent months.”
“We continue to support efforts by the parties to reach a settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which would benefit all Cypriots as well as the wider region,” Toner continued.
As the Secretary stated last month in Davos, he pointed out: “We’re supporting the best chance in decades for a Cyprus settlement.” As for timelines, he said, “that is something for the Cypriots to decide.”