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Fully supporting Annan's efforts on Cyprus, Council members urge cooperation

Fully supporting Annan's efforts on Cyprus, Council members urge cooperation

Amb. Jean-David Levitte
Expressing their complete backing for efforts by Secretary-General Kofi Annan concerning Cyprus, members of the Security Council today urged the cooperation of all concerned.

In a statement to the press following closed-door consultations on Cyprus, Council President Jean-David Levitte of France said the members "gave full support to the Secretary-General's efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem."

The members also urged all concerned to cooperate with the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, "and to show confidence in their judgment as to the best way to move forward," Ambassador Levitte said. "They commended the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser for their efforts and the initiatives they have taken since November 1999 to move the process forward, including an invitation to the leaders to resume the search for a comprehensive settlement in New York this month."

"Council members expressed disappointment at the unjustified decision by the Turkish side to decline that invitation," the President said, adding, "Progress can only be made at the negotiating table."

According to Ambassador Levitte, Council members encouraged the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser to continue their efforts, using the guidelines in Security Council resolution 1250, which was adopted in June 1999. Specifying the provisions of that text, the Council President stressed "that there should be no preconditions; that all issues are on the table; that both sides should make a commitment in good faith to negotiate until a settlement is reached; and that there should be a full consideration of relevant United Nations resolutions and treaties."