Athens: Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis said that the recent meeting between the President of Cyprus and UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres has created positive momentum for the possible resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Hartsiotis, speaking at the annual doxology held by the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens to mark the anniversary of the start of the EOKA liberation struggle, described the contact as 'encouraging' and said it supports intensified efforts to restart meaningful talks.
He noted that the continued engagement of the United Nations, as reflected in the recent meeting with the President, reinforces prospects for breaking the current deadlock and working toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
According to Hartsiotis, the Republic of Cyprus remains firmly committed to a solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and fully aligned with the European acquis. He added that the government is continuing to use all available diplomatic channels to strengthen international backing for its positions and to create conditions conducive to renewed negotiations.
The remarks were delivered at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens during commemorations for the April 1, 1955 anniversary, attended by officials from the Greek state, members of the Cypriot diplomatic mission and representatives of the Greek-Cypriot diaspora.
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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.