Special representative of the Secretary General in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim made a positive evaluation on the course of the Cyprus talks so far, briefing via teleconference the members of the Security Council about UNFICYP mission and the Cyprus issue, ‘Famagusta Gazette’ reports.
According to diplomats of the member-states of the Security Council, the UN official said that a message should be sent, to encourage both sides for more progress.
According to the same sources, Buttenheim briefed the UN Security Council about yesterday’s meeting of the two leaders in Cyprus, saying that the second phase of the talks was completed and that the parties had presented their proposals. She added that now they have to develop a framework for the next phase of the talks.
She also referred to military confidence-building measures and to the need for progress on demining, while she added that the leaks of negotiation’s documents has a negative effect on the process.
Members of the Security Council expressed their full support for the role of UNFICYP, as well as the efforts of Buttenheim and the UN good service team.
Some members supported the need to accelerate the process and avoid actions that would disturb the good climate. Other mentioned the need to broaden the CBMs to assist the process and the good climate, while a couple of members talked about the need to speed up the process for the missing persons.
Finally, in their interventions Western countries supported the appointment of a permanent special adviser to the Secretary General for Cyprus issue.
Later today there will be consultations between the members of the Security Council on the draft resolution on UNFICYP and chances are that the issue will close. The meeting of the Security Council for its adoption is scheduled for July 30.
