New UNSG’s Special Representative to arrive in Cyprus early December and meet with the leaders

The UN Secretary – General`s new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Colin Stewart, is expected to arrive on the island in early December. He will also perform the role of Deputy to the Secretary-General`s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

A reliable source told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the outgoing UNSG`s Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP, Elizabeth Spehar, will leave her post on November 30, and that Stewart is expected to arrive on the island in early December. After his arrival he will hold separate meetings with Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar.

He will also hold meetings with the heads of diplomatic missions of countries which are key players in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, such as the five UN Security Council permanent members, and will have contacts with members of the UN peacekeeping force on the island.

Later on, Stewart will also have meetings with political party leaders as well with civil society representatives of both communities, the same source told CNA.

The UN announced Stewart`s appointment on November 4.

According to the UN, Stewart, who most recently served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) (2017-2021), brings a demonstrated record of leadership and management, with over 28 years of experience in peace and security and international affairs.

He previously served as Deputy Head and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and held appointments in several United Nations field missions, including as Acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Political Affairs at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) (2007 to 2009). He was a Canadian diplomat from 1990 to 1997.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island`s northern third. Numerous rounds of talks under UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency