Settlement basis, negotiating acquis remain unchanged, Presidency says in evaluation of New York outcome

In New York, it was reaffirmed that the basis for a Cyprus settlement and the negotiating acquis remain unchanged, the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus says in a post on X. It is also noted that, on the Cyprus issue, the proposals put forward by President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides “were positively received by the UN Secretary-General.”

In a video accompanying the post, President Christodoulides’ presence in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly is assessed, noting that the President held meetings with the UN Secretary-General, his Personal Envoy, heads of state and government, heads of organisations and multinational companies, as well as with the Cypriot diaspora.

From the General Assembly podium, it adds, the Republic of Cyprus highlighted the importance of multilateralism, international law, the UN Charter, regional cooperation and the strengthening of its strategic relations. “On the Cyprus issue, the proposals submitted on substantive issues, methodology and confidence-building measures were positively received by the UN Secretary-General, and it was reaffirmed that the basis for a settlement and the negotiating acquis remain unchanged, with the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of the agreed framework remaining the key priority,” the post continues.

It also says that the mission to New York highlighted the breadth of the Republic of Cyprus’ international presence, with the further deepening of relations with China, the United Kingdom, Jordan and the United States, the strengthening of regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, as well as the promotion of specific energy plans with Chevron and ExxonMobil for the development of fields in Cyprus’ EEZ.

The utilisation of natural gas, Europe’s energy security, connectivity, civil protection, investment, technology and economic cooperation, it adds, form part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s international standing and credibility, in which the Cypriot diaspora also plays an important role as a strong and credible voice for Cyprus in the United States.

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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

 

 

(Sources: CNA, X)