Nicosia: The coming period will be critical, with intensive consultations aimed at the UN Secretary-General convening an enlarged meeting and paving the way for the resumption of Cyprus talks, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Victor Papadopoulos, the President briefed a delegation from the Municipality of Famagusta and a group of foreign officials on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue during a meeting at the Presidential Palace. The foreign officials are guests of the Municipality at events condemning the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus.
During the meeting, President Christodoulides referred to the positive outcome of the UN Secretary-General's visit to Cyprus. He also briefed the delegation on his meeting with the EU Special Envoy for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, highlighting the importance of the EU's involvement in the UN Secretary-General's efforts.
The President stressed the significance of the EU's role in both the form and substance of a settlement and the potential benefits for Turkey in its relations with the EU by contributing to efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue. He outlined the efforts being made by the Cyprus Government and by himself personally to achieve a settlement.
President Christodoulides described the period ahead as 'extremely critical', with continuous and intensive consultations aimed at the UN Secretary-General convening an enlarged meeting, so that the resumption of talks could be announced. He noted the UN Secretary-General's strong political will, within UN parameters, and the need 'to go the final mile.'
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended inconclusively.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced plans to convene another meeting in broader format after adequate preparation, securing consensus from both sides and guarantor powers. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked with engaging the parties, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus.