'Cyprus can be symbol of hope' the world badly needs, says UN chief Guterres as conference opens

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.

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 on Thursday’s talks as “extremely constructive” but said “we are not here for a quick fix,” rather for “a solid and sustainable solution.”

In that regard, the conference will continue for “the amount of time necessary,” he added, stressing the need for an instrument that addresses the security concerns of both communities.

Yesterday, Espen Barth Eide, the UN Special Advisor Cyprus who has been facilitating talks between the two sides ahead of on Thursday’s conference, told reporters: “We are on track, we have dealt with some of the most difficult issues we have touched upon almost all of them, we have solved many of them and we are close to resolving some other issues.

The issue of land is key, Eide explained, describing it as a “big part of the trauma” that has affected Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots since the division of the island in 1974.

UN Photo/Violaine Martin

Source: www.justearthnews.com