Cyprus: Security Council members welcome agreement by leaders to start direct talks

The members of the United Nations Security Council today welcomed the agreement by Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, to begin direct talks in Cyprus next year.

Council members welcomed “this and other positive developments and hope that progress will be achieved at the negotiating table resulting in a comprehensive settlement,” the President of the 15-member body, Ambassador Moctar Ouane of Mali, said in a press statement. He noted that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had informed the Council that the talks would begin on 16 January 2002.

Ambassador Ouane said Council members gave their full support to the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices, conducted pursuant to Council resolution 1250, and encouraged Mr. Annan and his Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, to continue to help the parties as appropriate.

Earlier this afternoon, the Council was briefed by Mr. de Soto.