Security Council members give full backing to Annan's efforts on Cyprus

Members of the Security Council today reiterated their full support of efforts by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to achieve a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

In a statement to the press, the President of the Council, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, said the members "welcomed and supported" the Secretary-General's intention to continue with the process he had initiated in November 1999.

Members of the Council "continue to urge all those involved to engage with him constructively and effectively in the process," Ambassador Chowdhury said in a statement issued after the Council heard a briefing from the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro De Soto.

Council members reaffirmed all Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, and in particular, resolution 1251 of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions.

This morning, the Council was also briefed on the UN Secretariat's consultations with the parties over the extension of the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Pointing out that the Council members had noted the views expressed by the parties, Ambassador Chowdhury said the Council was "working on a draft resolution regarding the mandate renewal." He added that he would meet with the parties concerned on 13 June and predicted that the Council would be able to adopt its resolution on Friday, as planned.