More progress needed, says Ban

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that there has been progress since he last met with the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus but more work needed to be done.

“Based on discussions today, it is clear that the two leaders worked to move closer together through a range of bridging proposals, notably in the chapters of Economy, EU matters, and Governance and Power-Sharing. Nonetheless, more work must be done to reach further convergences on the outstanding core issues,” he said.

Speaking after a meeting with Christofias and Eroglu in Geneva today, he said the two sides have also agreed to intensify the negotiations through a series of additional meetings in the coming weeks and that he would make himself available to them again soon to continue to take stock of progress and to encourage the parties in further narrowing the differences.

He added that a number of elements have been identified that are designed to maintain momentum and to address more directly the details of a workable, mutually beneficial solution.

He said the meeting’s “spirited and substantive discussions” contributed to clearing the air on several key issues. “The leaders have discussed the outstanding key issues in a more interrelated fashion, since a settlement proposal will need to consist of an integrated package across chapters. I have encouraged both sides to talk to experts that I can make available on the technical aspects of the property issue”, he said.

The UN S-G mentioned recent surveys that showed that both communities in Cyprus want more than talks: they want a solution. “The leaders have heard that message and they are acting. I welcome the steps that the leaders have taken today which give a clear indication of their commitment to reunifying Cyprus as soon as possible,” he said.

Ban said that he will be submitting a report on the state of the talks to the Security Council at the end of February.

“I will closely follow the efforts of the leaders in the coming weeks as they reach further convergences across all chapters. I am certain that if the constructive spirit that I witnessed today continues, I will have a positive report to submit”.

At the end of the statement no questions were taken because of the sensitivity of the process and the two sides cancelled separate news conferences reportedly for the same reason.