The new leadership in Cyprus served as a fitting moment for the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary di Carlo,’s visit to Cyprus, according to UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. He told Wednesday’s press briefing DiCarlo ‘met Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. During those detailed discussions she reiterated the UN’s continued commitment to peace on the island’. Di Carlo, he added, ‘is continuing her visit with meetings with civil society, including women and youth groups’. Asked if she intents to visit the Turkey, Greece or London – the guarantor countries – after she completes her visit in Cyprus, Dujarric said the only travel he is aware of is to Cyprus and back. To a question if there is a particular window of opportunity or are things are looking more hopeful with the diplomacy for DiCarlo’s visit, the UNSG’s Spokesperson said ‘there is new leadership on the Greek Cypriot side. So, this was an opportune moment to go’. 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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency