Deal between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders is attainable - Ban
Publisher | UN News Service |
Publication Date | 1 November 2011 |
Cite as | UN News Service, Deal between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders is attainable - Ban, 1 November 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4eb3c2ec2.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
"The sides have made some encouraging progress during these two days on some of the remaining core issues," Mr. Ban told reporters at UN Headquarters, flanked by Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu.
"This has given me confidence that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved. Both leaders have assuThis has given me confidence that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved. Both leaders have assured me that they believe that they can finalize a deal.red me that they believe that they can finalize a deal," he added.
The leaders met with Mr. Ban outside New York City on 30 and 31 October, the fourth such meeting with the UN chief as part of the ongoing talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
At their previous meeting with the Secretary-General in July, it was agreed that the two sides would intensify the talks to reach convergences on outstanding core issues in the negotiations, which include governance and power-sharing, economy, European Union matters, property, territory and security.
Despite the progress made, Mr. Ban acknowledged that "there is still work to be done." Both leaders have agreed that further efforts are essential over the next two months to move to the "end game of the negotiations," and he has invited them to meet with him again in a similar format in January next year.
"By then, I expect the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem to have been resolved so that we can move to the multilateral conference shortly thereafter," said Mr. Ban.
The UN-backed talks began in 2008 with the aim of setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot constituent states of equal status.