The UN continue to be at the ready to facilitate a viable negotiation process and rely on the parties to decide on that path, Elizabeth Spehar, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus said on Tuesday, addressing the United Nations Day Reception, at Ledra Palace Hotel.
Spehar said that “in the aftermath of Crans-Montana, the Secretary-General has called on the parties to the Cyprus problem to reflect on the outcome of the recent talks and on the possible way ahead” and “has reiterated the UN’s readiness to assist the sides, should they jointly decide to engage in such a process with the necessary political will”.
She added that “we should not be discouraged” by the closure of the Conference on Cyprus a few months ago, noting that “the people of this island can achieve unity and a better future if they invest in building a constituency for peace”.
Spehar said that peace is built from the ground up, and the leaders need broad and consistent support from across civil society to bring the peace process to a successful conclusion. “In this regard, I am encouraged by the efforts of so many on this island who are reaching across the divide, seeking to understand the other’s perspective, bridge differences and prove that what brings the communities of Cyprus together, vastly exceeds what separates them”.
In her speech the Special Representative recalled the various contributions of the UN in Cyprus, acknowledging the role of the peacekeepers. She also thanked UNFICYP’s troop and police contributing countries and underscored the important work of the Secretary-General’s Good Offices, where she serves as Deputy Special Advisor.
“Our former Special Advisor, Espen Barth Eide, and the entire good offices team, worked tirelessly over the past few years in support of the negotiations. We continue to be at the ready to facilitate a viable negotiation process and rely on the parties to decide on that path” Shehar noted.
She added that “the UNHCR is playing a vital role in working with the authorities in their response to the difficult plight of migrants and refugees who are arriving on Cypriot shores, and UNDP continues to work across the divide to foster results-oriented bi-communal projects”. She also mentioned the “key role” of the UN Third Member of the Committee on Missing Persons.
