Nicosia: The two leaders on the island are committed to the 5+1 meeting scheduled in New York later this month, said Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Colin Stewart, adding that both want to see some tangible achievements and progress.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Stewart made these remarks after meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in the Turkish occupied area of Nicosia. He highlighted that this would be his final briefing to the Security Council before retiring from the UN in August. Stewart also mentioned that he had previously met with President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss the same topic.
Stewart expressed satisfaction with the commitment of both leaders to the upcoming meeting in New York, emphasizing their desire for tangible achievements and progress. He noted, “I am very pleased to note that both leaders are committed to the 5+1 meeting which is expected to happen in New York in the coming weeks and both of them want to see some tangible achievements and some progress at this meeting, so I think we are in a good situation.”
Following the New York meeting, Stewart plans to return to Cyprus for his farewells before his retirement. UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres had previously announced an informal meeting on Cyprus, following a similar meeting in Geneva, with both sides agreeing to several initiatives, including opening crossing points and creating a Technical Committee on Youth.
Guterres appointed Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus to facilitate further engagement with the parties. The European Commission has also designated Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus to assist in the settlement process.
Yesterday, the President of Cyprus confirmed that the informal meeting in New York is scheduled for immediately after the first fortnight of July, with official announcements expected from the UN.