The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has recognized the role which Turkey has to play with a view to achieve progress in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, a diplomatic source said following a meeting in New York between Ban and the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades. Turkey`s role in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem was also discussed during a meeting Ban had later on with the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ban and Anastasiades discussed developments in the Cyprus problem, in view of the fresh effort which began after the appointment of the UN Secretary General`s new Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.
In statements to the press after the meeting, Anastasiades expressed satisfaction both for having the opportunity to reiterate the positions and the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to work for the settlement of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, and for having the opportunity to listen to the Secretary General expressing his own determination and readiness to contribute to these efforts and facilitate them, through his Special Adviser and- if the necessary progress is made – with his own involvement.
“We have elaborated on the difficulties which have come up until now and for the need for the parties involved to work, not just in words but also through specific actions,” Anastasiades noted, adding that he does not mean only the Turkish Cypriots but Turkey as well.
A Secretary General spokesperson said in a statement that the Secretary General and the President discussed progress made in the negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus following the adoption of a Joint Declaration by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on 11 February 2014.
He noted that they also discussed climate change, global efforts to fight terrorism and the threat posed by ISIL, and the Ebola epidemic.
The Cyprus problem was also among the issues which the Secretary General discussed during his meeting with Erdogan.
The UN Secretary General`s spokesperson said that Ban and Erdogan discussed the status of the negotiations to achieve a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, as well as Turkey’s role in supporting the process.
Meanwhile President Anastasiades and his aides hosted a working lunch for the permanent representatives of the five Security Council permanent members. Responding to a question Anastaisades said that they listened to their positions and discussed with them about the current phase of the UN-led talks.
“I elaborated on the various aspects of the Cyprus problem and the problems we`ve been facing, as well as on our readiness to work with a view to achieve, the soonest possible, if the other side cooperates as well, the pursued settlement that will reunite our country and lift the (Turkish) army occupation, through the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal state with political equality,” he noted.
According to a diplomatic source, the five permanent representatives agreed that both sides need to think along the same lines with regard to the pursued settlement, in order to be able to achieve substantive progress.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. A new round of UN-backed talks is underway between the leaders of the two communities, namely President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, to reunite the island under a federal roof.
