'Cyprus can be symbol of hope' the world badly needs, says UN chief Guterres as conference opens
A United Nations-supported conference on Cyprus opened in Geneva today, bringing together the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders in a dialogue chaired by Secretary-General António Guterres.
Speaking at a press conference during a recess, the UN chief said “it is my hope that there will be a breakthrough” that the people of Cyprus deserve and the world needs.
“We are facing so many situations of disasters. We badly need a symbol of hope. I strongly believe Cyprus can be the symbol of hope at the beginning of 2017,” he added.
The conference brought together not only the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, but also the so-called guarantor powers – Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom for the first time.
Mr. Guterres paid tribute to the statesmanship displayed by Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci for about 20 months of negotiations toward a united Cyprus.
The Secretary-General described the opening session of today's talks as “extremely constructive,” adding that during lunchtime, the participants had open debate and brainstorming, in which “it was possible to identify, not only the very important progress that was made in the negotiations, as taken in the last few days on the first five chapters, but also to identify the complexity of the problems related to security and guarantees that need to be addressed and resolved.”
In that lunch, he continued, “it was possible to clearly come to the conclusion that we need to find instruments, instruments that allow for the implementation of the settlement that would be achieved in a way that guarantees simultaneously the response to the security concerns of the Turkish Cypriot community and the security concerns of the Greek Cypriot community.”
Mr. Guterres said the goal is neither a calendar nor a vanity fair, but to get the necessary results.
Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) briefs journalists during a recess between meetings held during a United Nations-supported conference on Cyprus. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
Secretary-General António Guterres (right) with Nicos Anastasiades (centre right) and Mustafa Akinci (left). Also pictured is Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. UN Photo/Violaine Martin
Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) at the opening of the conference flanked by Jeffrey Feltman (left) Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Espen Barth Eide UN Special Adviser on Cyprus. Also pictured are Mustafa Akinci (2nd left) and Nicos Anastasiades (2nd right). UN Photo/Amanda Voisard
Secretary-General António Guterres is greeted by Federica Mogherini, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at the conference. UN Photo/Amanda Voisard
“We are not looking for a quick fix. We are looking for a solid and sustainable solution,” he said, noting that the conference will continue for “the amount of time necessary.”
He stressed that the role of the United Nations is to support the parties so that they can come to the necessary agreement.
At the end of today’s discussions, the UN commended Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci for the remarkable progress made over the past 20 months in the Cyprus talks and for their dedicated work that had made it possible to Conference, which, for the first time, had brought all together to discuss the chapter of security and guarantees, the sixth and last chapter of the negotiations.
The world body said that the participants recognized that this is the time to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion. “This is a historic opportunity that should not be missed, said the UN adding that the participants therefore committed to supporting the process towards a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.
Noting that those common objectives will require concerted efforts by all concerned over the course of the next days, they decided to continue the Conference, in line with established precedent, with the following steps:
- Establish a working group at the level of deputies. This group will commence its work on 18 January. Its task will be to identify specific questions and the instruments needed to address them;
- In parallel, the negotiations on outstanding issues in the other chapters will continue between the two sides in Cyprus; and that
- The Conference will continue at political level immediately thereafter to review the outcome of the working group’s discussions.