Limassol: There should be deliverables at the expanded Cyprus Conference in New York, taking place on July 16-17, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou. He emphasized the necessity for the process to remain active and for conditions to be established to resume peace talks.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Antoniou addressed the press on Sunday after a memorial service in Limassol for two army officers who died in the Mari naval base blast on July 11, 2011. In his remarks, Antoniou stated that the President is ready for all scenarios in New York and fully prepared for the discussions.
Antoniou also commented on Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s remarks regarding the United Nations Secretary-General’s (UNSG) draft reports on his Good Offices and UNFICYP. He noted that the comments do not foster optimism and that the Turkish side’s general stance offers no room for realistic expectations. Nonetheless, Antoniou indicated that the Greek Cypriot side aims to leverage the New York meeting and UNSG’s initiative, supporting the mission of the UNSG’s personal envoy.
He expressed the desire for “deliverables from the meeting that will lead to the resumption of talks from where they left off in July 2017 in Crans Montana.” Antoniou further mentioned that while there may be disagreements with some remarks and observations in the UNSG’s draft reports, particularly on the issue of usurpation, they are making representations to effect desired changes.
Antoniou also mentioned that the President will convey his readiness to the UNSG’s personal envoy to approach the New York meeting with a constructive and positive spirit. He stated uncertainty about whether the envoy would meet the Turkish Cypriot leader, as she typically holds contacts with both sides.
Antoniou refrained from commenting on Cyprus MEP Phidias Panagiotou’s remarks following an interview with the Turkish Cypriot leader in the occupied areas. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Previous UN-led peace talks have not produced results due to Turkish intransigence, with the last negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ending without conclusion.
The upcoming meeting in New York under the UNSG’s auspices follows a similar one in Geneva last March. In May, the UNSG reappointed Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus, to work closely with Holgun in contributing to the settlement process.