Source: United Nations (video statements)
“The United Nations cannot impose peace. But let me be very clear: the United Nations remains fully committed to supporting the people of Cyprus in this crucial moment for the island and the wider region.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered this message today after separate meetings with Nikos Christodoulides, Leader of the Greek Cypriot Community, and Tufan Erhürman, Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community, followed by a joint meeting at the compound of the Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.
“As Secretary-General, from the earliest days of my mandate, acting in line with the United Nations parameters, I have sought, through my good offices, to assist Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to reach a comprehensive, sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue,” Guterres said. “The United Nations has consistently worked toward this objective.”
“This is the moment when all efforts must be made to rebuild trust,” he continued. “To that end, it is essential to redouble efforts to define and implement confidence-building measures that can make a difference in the daily lives of all Cypriots. I appeal to the two leaders to intensify these efforts.”
“Both Mr. Erhürman and Mr. Christodoulides assured me of their determination to continue to work in earnest with my Personal Envoy,” the Secretary-General noted. “Based on our discussions on the way forward, I decided that I would convene another 5+1 meeting, after adequate preparations on confidence building, methodology and substance, taking into account the convergences already achieved. We will work in consultation with the two sides and the guarantors, to create the conditions for the meeting’s success.”
“I would like to emphasize the need to respect the mandated authority of the UN peacekeeping operation in Cyprus – UNFICYP – both in the buffer zone and the UN-delineated ceasefire lines,” Guterres stated. “For more than six decades, UNFICYP has helped maintain calm and stability in a sensitive environment. Its continued effectiveness depends on the cooperation of all sides.”
“The United Nations cannot impose peace,” he added. “But let me be very clear: the United Nations remains fully committed to supporting the people of Cyprus in this crucial moment for the island and the wider region.”