UN chief welcomes re-launching of Cyprus reunification talks

11 February 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warmly welcomed the re-launching of negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and pledged the commitment of the United Nations to these efforts.

Mr. Ban, in a statement issued in New York, welcomed the finalization of a joint communiqué and a formal re-launch of the talks by Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who met today at the UN Protected Area in the capital, Nicosia.

“I commend the leaders for their commitment to resuming negotiations and for their hard work in the past months to reach what is an important statement of shared principles and invaluable basis for renewed talks,” said the Secretary-General.

“The United Nations will continue to support the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to reunify the island and move on from decades of separation. I personally pledge our resolute commitment to these efforts.”

The UN has been facilitating talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership, with a view to the eventual establishment of a federal government with a single international personality, consisting of a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, each of equal status.

Mr. Ban also recognized the “indispensable” role played up to this point by his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer.

Mr. Downer, who was appointed in September 2008, has informed the Secretary-General that now that the joint communiqué has been achieved, he has decided to take up a new position and step down as Special Adviser.

The UN has deployed a peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, since 1964, when inter-communal fighting erupted on the Mediterranean island.