Nicosia: The message conveyed by the UN Secretary-General's visit to Cyprus is that the international community is investing in the prospect of a solution, not in the perpetuation of the status quo, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis told the CNA.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Letymbiotis commented on the significance of the Secretary-General's visit, marking the first in 16 years, and described it as an important opportunity to assess the progress of the Secretary-General's initiative to date. He noted that the Cypriot side is keenly awaiting the directions to be outlined for the continuation of the process and the subsequent steps.
Letymbiotis emphasized that the momentum now building creates conditions for progress and underscores the responsibility of all parties involved to respond to this prospect. He highlighted the visit as a critical development, both in terms of the substance of the contacts and the strong political symbolism it conveys.
He confirmed that the Secretary-General's new initiative is active, evolving, gaining continuity, and maintaining its momentum. The visit is seen as a vital opportunity to evaluate the initiative's course so far, with anticipation for the directions regarding the continuation of the process and the next steps.
This development aligns with a broader and steadily strengthening international mobility around the Cyprus issue. Letymbiotis pointed out that the Secretary-General's initiative, the European Union's more active involvement, the appointment of an EU Commission Envoy for the Cyprus issue, and the linkage of progress in EU-Turkey relations to the Cyprus issue create a new political environment. The President's initiatives for substantive EU engagement and using EU-Turkey relations as a catalyst for progress have significantly contributed to this environment.
Letymbiotis remarked that two major international pillars, the United Nations and the European Union, are being activated in parallel, complementarily working toward creating conditions for progress on the Cyprus issue under the UN Secretary-General's initiative.
He clarified that this development reflects a broader international dynamic, strengthening the process's prospects. It results from persistent diplomatic efforts, ongoing contacts, and a consistent strategy to mobilize all available international and European levers toward a solution.
The Republic of Cyprus remains steadfast in its dedication to protecting the negotiating acquis, international law, and the United Nations agreed framework for a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as outlined in relevant Security Council resolutions. Efforts are being made to ensure that the next expanded conference becomes a springboard for resuming negotiations from the point where they were interrupted.
The current situation highlights that progress on the Cyprus issue and EU-Turkey relations rest on the same fundamental principles: respect for international law, United Nations decisions, and the obligations deriving from them. This forms the common starting point and duty.
Letymbiotis conveyed that the international community is investing in a solution, not perpetuating the status quo. The generated momentum creates conditions for progress while emphasizing the responsibility of all parties to respond to that prospect.
He stated that the Cypriot side has demonstrated its will and readiness through actions. The question now is whether others will align with the collective international effort and agreed framework.
The coming period will reveal whether there will be a response to the international effort through moves consistent with the agreed framework, international law, and the principles, values, acquis, and Law of the EU. Letymbiotis assured that efforts would continue with consistency, credibility, and sincere political will to transform the momentum into substantive progress toward the liberation and reunification of Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have thus far failed to yield results, with the latest negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ending inconclusively.