Following the informal dinner meeting in Berlin between the two Cypriot community leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the UNSG issued the following statement:
“This evening I held an informal meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Mustafa Akıncı in order to assess the situation regarding the efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
The conversation was focused and friendly. Both leaders welcomed my initiative and expressed their commitment and commitment to a solution based on a bi-communal, bi-communal federation and political equality as defined in all relevant Security Council resolutions, including the operative paragraph 4 of Resolution 716 (1991) of the UN Security Council. re-confirmed.
The Turkish Cypriot leader and the Greek Cypriot leader, acting with a sense of urgency, agreed that finding a comprehensive and a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem in the foreseeable future is of great importance to the well-being of both communities and that the status quo is not sustainable”.
Speaking after their meeting President Akıncı said that the process which had been derailed was back on track, but that this alone was not enough as there was still much work that needed to be done.
Akıncı said that Guterres’ involvement was important particularly after his reluctance following the end of the Crans-Montana talks, adding that he was certain the UN chief had his reasons, probably tensions over hydrocarbons being one of them.
“We saw the UNSG’s commitment to continue the process to finalise the terms of reference will continue and the UNSG will explore the possibility of an informal five-party meeting.”
He said that mention of a strategic agreement was important as was reference to how further talks would be conducted, especially the fact that the process could not be the same, that it could not be open-ended and needed to be results-oriented.
President Akıncı also said that the reference made to political equality was also positive, adding that the statement had put an end to the debate on the date of the Guterres framework. [Something that had been disputed by President Anastasiades]
President Anastasiades, following the leaders’ meeting said:
“Despite the known difficulties the result of today’s meeting is deemed as a first positive step in the effort to restart the dialogue.
“A meeting, whose task would be the agreement on the terms of reference that will allow the repetition of a targeted and creative dialogue that will lead us to a viable and functional solution.”
“The convergence of positions of the two leaders on the main parameters which will govern the sought solution”, was another element he pointed out.
He added that: “It goes without saying that for substantive talks to restart, beyond an agreement on the terms of reference, Turkey must end her illegal activities at the expense of the Republic of Cyprus, any threats to settle Famagusta, or any threats for faits accomplis in the buffer zone”.
Yeni Duzen, Cyprus Mail
