Nicosia [Cyprus], July 29: The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed his commitment to supporting renewed negotiations after separate meetings with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
The UN chief said the discussions had been productive and that he would continue his efforts to support a renewed political process.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following an invasion by the Turkish military in response to a Greek-backed coup. The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, controls the predominantly Greek-speaking south, while the Turkish Cypriot-administered north is recognised only by Turkiye. A UN buffer zone separates the two sides and runs through the capital of Nicosia.
After meeting Christodoulides, Guterres described his trip as a visit of solidarity with the people of Cyprus and said he remained strongly committed to supporting both communities.
"It depends obviously on the Cypriots themselves, but also the guarantors have a role to play... I will do everything I can to support the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots in this very important moment", he said.
Greece, Turkiye and the United Kingdom are Cyprus' guarantor powers under the agreements that established the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 after British colonial forces departed the island.
At the beginning of his meeting with Christodoulides, Guterres said the current instability in the wider region made progress on Cyprus particularly important. "If there is a moment in which the solution of the Cyprus problem is important, it is now," he said, referring to regional turmoil and geopolitical changes that could place the island at the centre of unwanted developments.
The meeting between Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman in the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus lasted more than an hour.
Speaking afterwards, Guterres said he remained committed to efforts to resume negotiations.
Source: Qatar Tribune
