UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday congratulated Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades for progress made together with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci at the UN-sponsored peace negotiations, according to a UN statement.
UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – After a seven-month hiatus, negotiations to create a united Cyprus federation, which would be a bi-communal, bi-zonal state resumed on May 15, leading to the removal of visa requirements as a goodwill gesture and a step toward reunification.
“The Secretary-General commended Mr. Anastasiades for the visionary leadership he has demonstrated and the progress he has made together with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Akinci,” the statement, issued on Saturday, reads.
The statement added that “the Secretary-General particularly welcomed the leaders’ commitment to work tirelessly in order to reach a settlement as soon as possible.”
between the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at the international organization’s headquarters, in New York.
According to informed sources, Ban appeared during the meeting satisfied with the course of settlement talks in Cyprus, while anticipating the result of Turkish elections, due in November.
Anastasiades told Ban it was imperative Turkey`s words to be translated into deeds.
Part of the meeting was also attended by Espen Barth Eide, the UN SG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus, who also met on Saturday with IMF chief Christine Lagarde and the US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, discussing the financial aspect of a Cyprus solution.
In statements to the press after the meeting, the President said that he briefed Ban on the progress, as well as on problems in settlement talks. He said he asked the SG`s contribution, in order for all stakeholders involved to contribute towards a Cyprus solution, the soonest possible. The aim, according to the President, is to reunite the country, terminate the presence of Turkish occupation troops, guarantees and guarantor powers and create prospects for the future state – which will remain a member of the EU – to be able to carry out its obligations towards the EU and its citizens.
He said setting timetables was a mistake of the past never to be repeated again and noted that if there is good will, there will be progress.
According to the President of Cyprus, the UN Secretary-General was expecting the creation of the necessary conditions that would allow parties to reach a settlement the soonest. Ban also expressed the wish to extend his good services, helping to overcome existing problems, Anastasiades said.
Responding to a question, the President said no issue was raised on the part of the UN chief for conducting a common meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı, noting that “we are in a very premature stage for someone to expect a meeting like that”. He also pointed out to the SG that social meetings, producing no results, would be a mistake.
The President said finally that he had no information on Eide`s contacts regarding financing prospects after a Cyprus solution, he said however that many sides are putting a lot of effort towards this direction.
A UN spokesperson said from his part that during their meeting, the Secretary-General and President Anastasiades exchanged views on the achievements in the Cyprus negotiations since the resumption of talks in May 2015.
He added that Ban commended Anastasiades “for the visionary leadership he has demonstrated and the progress he has made together with the Turkish Cypriot leader” Akıncı.
Moreover, the Secretary-General welcomed the leaders’ commitment to work tirelessly in order to reach a settlement as soon as possible and expressed his strong personal commitment to support Cypriots in this crucially important endeavour.
The Secretary-General and the President also discussed issues related to the post-2015 development agenda and the outcome of the summit, the spokesperson concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed on May 15, this year
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