An initiative by UN Secretary General António Guterres on the Cyprus issue is under way with the aim of achieving a positive outcome and is not related to arbitration, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday.
Speaking on Cyprus‑related developments as he arrived at the General Assembly of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber in Limassol, and responding to a journalist’s comment that he had said the previous day a settlement plan could possibly be reached by the end of the year, the President said that the UN Secretary General is fully committed to progress on the Cyprus issue and has already held relevant meetings.
“An initiative is beginning, or more accurately is under way, an initiative whose objective is to deliver a positive result,” the President said.
He stressed that the process cannot remain at the level of endless discussions and that at some point it must lead to a result, adding that the government supports the Secretary General’s effort.
President Christodoulides also said that the current UN Secretary General has in‑depth knowledge of the Cyprus issue and that an effort is under way aimed at producing tangible outcomes, particularly in view of the end of his term.
“There is a window of opportunity with a United Nations Secretary General who knows the Cyprus issue very well throughout his tenure. This term concludes around the end of December, and we support the effort that is under way and aims to deliver results,” he said.
The President stressed that Nicosia actively supports the initiative and is fully prepared to respond to any developments, noting at the same time that the process is being conducted within the framework of United Nations Security Council resolutions and with the involvement of the European Union, which has a decisive role to play.
Responding to a question, he said the initiative is not related to arbitration.
He added that relevant contacts and meetings have already begun and expressed hope for a positive outcome.
“For us, there is no plan B. There is no alternative to ending the occupation and reunifying our homeland,” he said, adding that “we will all be judged by the final result.”
Source: CNA
