Little movement, despite promises, says UN S-G

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his latest report on Cyprus expresses renewed concern over the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders’ inability to agree on core issues and that the negotiations are close to a deadlock.

“Despite the leaders’ repeated commitments to intensify the negotiations and push for a conclusion as soon as possible, the fact that there has been such limited movement towards convergence on core issues in recent months is a matter of concern,” said Ban.

“There is no doubt that the political environment in which the negotiations are currently taking place has become increasingly difficult,” he added. “Nonetheless, it is incumbent upon the leaders to foster a more conducive atmosphere for the talks, by refraining from engaging in negative rhetoric about each other and the process and by preserving the confidentiality of the talks. In addition to preserving the integrity of the process, decisive action in this regard would also contribute to building public confidence in its viability which, at present, is low.”

According to Ban, President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu should focus their efforts on resolving the outstanding challenges.

“In particular, they must find a way to move beyond the existing deadlock on the election of the executive and advance more definitively on property and citizenship,” said Ban.

He added that while he understood certain aspects on the property issue could not be completely finalised until the maps and figures on territory are ready, the two leaders should at least reach some “simple and clear” common understanding.

“I note with satisfaction that the sides have embarked on the exchange of data on property foreseen in my statement following the second meeting at Greentree,” he said underlining that time was of the essence.

“The time for an agreement is now. The domestic, regional and international context is constantly shifting,” he pointed out. “The current window of opportunity is not limitless and there is little to suggest that the future will bring more propitious circumstances for a settlement. The United Nations remains convinced that if the necessary political will could be mustered on both sides, a durable settlement could be achieved in the interests of all Cypriots.”

Ban, who expressed full confidence in his Special Adviser Alexander Downer and his team to support such an outcome, said there was currently an impasse on the election of the executive.

An approach had been agreed by the two leaders on citizenship, while efforts were being made to reach common understanding on the property issue, he said.

“It is clear to both sides that full agreement on property will ultimately depend on the resolution of the question of territorial adjustment,” he added. “The two sides have agreed that maps and figures will only be discussed in the period leading up to the multilateral conference.”

Another crucial issue for Ban was how a settlement would be incorporated into European Union law, with both sides making proposals, none of which were accepted.

On the chapter of security and guarantees, internal aspects have largely been agreed, said Ban.

He added that it was up to the leaders to ensure negotiations lead to a successful conclusion.

“Accordingly, I have reassured the leaders that the United Nations does not seek to impose solutions. At the same time, I have repeatedly expressed my point of view that the negotiations should not be open-ended, as the longer the talks have been drawn out, the more disillusioned the public has become and the harder it has become to conclude agreements.”

The Secretary-General’s report, which was published by the Cyprus News Agency, was unofficially handed over to the UN Security Council and will be issued officially in the next few days, the Cyprus Mail reports.