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 rather than in perpetuating the status quo, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis told CNA.

Asked to comment on the significance of the UN Secretary-General’s visit—the first in 16 years— Mr. Letympiotis said that it would be an important opportunity to assess the progress of the Secretary-General’s initiative to date, while, he added, our side is looking forward with interest to the directions he will outline regarding the continuation of the process and the next steps.

He also emphasized that the momentum that is building creates the conditions for progress, but at the same time highlights the responsibility of all parties involved to rise to this challenge. 

In his statement, the Spokesperson said that “the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General to Cyprus is a particularly significant development, both in terms of the substance of the discussions and the strong political symbolism it conveys.”

It confirms, he said, “that the new initiative he personally undertook remains active, is progressing, is gaining momentum, and is maintaining its momentum.” The visit will provide an important opportunity to assess the progress of the Secretary-General’s initiative to date, and we look forward with interest to the directions he will outline regarding the continuation of the process and the next steps.”

“This development is part of a broader and steadily growing international momentum surrounding the Cyprus issue,” said Mr. Letympiotis, adding that “the Secretary-General’s initiative, the European Union’s more active involvement, the appointment of a European Commission Envoy for the Cyprus issue, and the clear linking of progress in EU-Turkey relations to the Cyprus issue constitute a new political environment. An environment to which the initiatives of the President of the Republic have contributed decisively, calling for more active and substantive engagement by the European Union, to leverage EU-Turkey relations as a catalyst for progress, and to keep the Cyprus issue firmly at the top of the international agenda.”

As he put it, “two important international pillars, the United Nations and the European Union, are working in parallel and complementing each other toward the common goal of creating the conditions for progress on the Cyprus issue, under the initiative launched by the United Nations Secretary-General.” This development, he clarified, is not a coincidence. “It reflects the emergence of a broader international dynamic that strengthens the prospects for the process. It is the result of persistent diplomatic efforts, ongoing contacts, and a consistent strategy that seeks to mobilize all available international and European levers toward a solution.”

The Republic of Cyprus, it continued, “remains firmly committed to safeguarding the negotiating acquis, international law, and the agreed United Nations framework for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant Security Council resolutions. We are working consistently and credibly to ensure that the next expanded conference serves as a substantive springboard for the resumption of negotiations from the point where they were suspended.”

The current situation, the Spokesperson added, “makes it even more evident that progress on the Cyprus issue and progress in relations between the European Union and Turkey are based on the same fundamental principles: respect for international law, United Nations resolutions, and the commitments arising from them. This is the common starting point, and this is the common obligation.”

The message being sent is clear, he said, that “the international community is investing in the prospect of a solution and not in perpetuating the status quo. The momentum that is building creates the conditions for progress, but at the same time highlights the responsibility of all parties involved to rise to this challenge.” Our side, Mr. Letympiotis noted, “has demonstrated through actions its will and readiness. The question now is whether everyone will choose to align themselves with the collective international effort and the agreed-upon framework.”

The coming period, he noted, “will demonstrate whether there will be a response to this collective international effort, through substantive actions consistent with the agreed framework, international law, as well as the principles, values, acquis, and EU law.”

He affirmed that “we will continue to work with consistency, credibility, and sincere political will so that the momentum that has been created is translated into tangible progress toward the liberation and reunification of our homeland.”

Source: CNA