Republic of Cyprus’ representation at Geneva conference has been sorted out, says Spokesman




The representation of the Republic of Cyprus at the Geneva conference, on the 12th of January, has been sorted out, according to Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides.

Speaking on Wednesday, after a meeting between President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and UN Secretary General Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, in Nicosia, Christodoulides also said that if all interested parties approach the forthcoming Geneva meeting with the aim to reach a successful outcome, then there is no reason why the EU or the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should not attend.

Christodoulides said that they had a good meeting, discussing tomorrow`s tête-à-tête between the leaders, as well as issues pertaining to Geneva and the international conference on Cyprus.

It is our common belief that all parties involved need to utilize the time remaining until the leaders` departure for Geneva, in order to create the conditions for a successful outcome in Switzerland, the Government Spokesman said.

It may be the beginning of the road, but it is important to have progress in all five chapters on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem, as well as on the chapter of Security and Guarantees “in order to be optimistic with regards to a successful Geneva conference’.

Concerning the representation at the conference, the Spokesman said that “the Republic of Cyprus is a contracting party to an international treaty that will be discussed in Geneva and can not be absent”. The way it will be represented best is something we are looking at, he went on, noting however that “the issue of whether the Republic of Cyprus will be [present] is an issue not under discussion “.

Asked whether the UN Secretary-General has sent out invitations to conference participants, Christodoulides said we should “wait and see”. He added that the presence of the EU at the highest possible level during the conference is not in question. At the same time, he went on, it is important that permanent members of the Security Council wish the same.

The insistence of the Greek Cypriot side over the participation of the EU and the UN Security Council members aims not to serve any expediences, said Christodoulides. He added that at this critical stage, both the EU and the Security Council can bring added value to ongoing efforts, in order to have a successful outcome.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Anastasiades and Akinci decided on December 1 to meet in Geneva on January 9, 10 and 11, 2017. On the 12th of January the Conference of Cyprus will begin in Geneva.

CNACYPRUS/Nicosia 21/12/2016 22:51

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