Security Council welcomes Turkish Cypriots' desire for solution to Cyprus problem

Security Council members today welcomed the fact that the majority of Turkish Cypriots have expressed their desire for a solution to the Cyprus problem and for accession to the European Union.

"This result is all the more noteworthy given pressures faced by the Turkish Cypriots to support the status quo," Ambassador Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council's rotation Presidency, said in a statement to the press. "The members hope that all parties in northern Cyprus and all other concerned parties will honour the desire of the majority of Turkish Cypriots as soon as possible."

Ambassador Tafrov added that Council members "continue to believe that securing a comprehensive settlement negotiated on the basis of the detailed proposals" of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and accession to the EU "by a reunited Cyprus" would be in the interests of all Cypriots.

Members also reiterated their full support for the good offices of the Secretary-General as entrusted to him in Security Council resolution 1250. "They urge the Turkish Cypriot leadership and all parties concerned to strongly support the Secretary-General's efforts and, in this context, call for an immediate resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals," Ambassador Tafrov said.

The members reaffirmed the Council's previous resolutions and statements on Cyprus, including resolutions 541, 550 and 1475.