President Christodoulides added that one of the messages the UNSG personal envoy on Cyprus conveyed during their meetings
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed certainty that, if there is political will, the talks for a solution of the Cyprus issue could resume and a positive result could be achieved based on the agreed framework.
In his remarks at the beginning of a Council of Ministers meeting at the Presidential Palace, on Wednesday, President Christodoulides stated that the “number one priority” was the effort to restart the talks.
He noted that the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar was in Cyprus for the third time since her appointment, and said that he welcomes her efforts and those of the Secretary General, as well as of the international community.
President Christodoulides added that one of the messages the UNSG personal envoy on Cyprus conveyed during their meetings, was the support of the international community for the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework.
“We responded to all her invitations for dialogue”, he said, to explore whether this could lead to a resumption of talks. “Unfortunately, so far there has been no response from the Turkish side”, he added, noting that, nevertheless, the effort continues.
If there is political will, the President noted, “I am sure that the talks can resume and I am sure that there can be a positive outcome always based on the agreed framework”.
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. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Columbia in January as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
Source: CNA
