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President satisfied with meetings in New York

25/09/2017 09:32
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has expressed satisfaction over the meetings he held in New York, in the framework of the UN General Assembly.

Speaking after a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President Anastasiades pointed out the important role the UN chief and the permanent members of the Security Council play in “preparing the ground for the resumption of talks, as well as the effective guarantee of the implementation of a possible solution of the Cyprus issue.”

President Anastasiades said his meeting with Guterres was constructive and that they discussed how the effort for a solution could continue.

“I expressed the readiness of our side to continue the effort for a solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the framework Guterres presented in Crans Montana, without disregarding the relevant UN resolutions, the EU principles and values, with the aim being a viable, functional, and normal state,” he said.

President Anastasiades also said it was necessary for the Turkish side to clarify its position and pointed out to Guterres that confidence building measures would be helpful in the direction of improving the climate.

They also discussed Guterres’ upcoming report on his good offices mission, and exchanged views on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

The President informed Guterres on unilateral actions by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, such as Friday’s decision to impose fees on the aid sent via the UN to the Greek Cypriots in the northern Turkish occupied areas of the Republic.

President Anastasiades made clear to Guterres that nothing was agreed on until everything was agreed on.

He furthermore said that next week he would be convening the National Council – the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus issue – for a full briefing regarding his contacts in New York.

The President also said that the Cyprus problem was not Turkey’s priority and that for the time being any thoughts about a plan B were put on hold.

President Anastasiades furthermore referred to his meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, which focused on the Cyprus issue. He met with US Vice President Mike Pence, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Russia, and China, among others.

He also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with whom he discussed, apart from the Cyprus problem, energy issues and the forthcoming meeting between the heads of government of Cyprus, Egypt and Greece.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aim at reunifying Cyprus under a federal roof. The latest round of negotiations in early July in Crans Montana ended inconclusively due to unacceptable demands the Turkish side had insisted on.