Cyprus Talks: UN envoy visits both sides of the island says ‘important weeks ahead’ for Cyprus problem

Important weeks lie ahead for the Cyprus problem as the two sides of the divided island prepare for the arrival of a UN envoy who will determine whether there are grounds for the resumption of reunification talks.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with south Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades on Friday, UN Secretary General Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar said they had spoken about the upcoming security council session and also about the upcoming consultations that will be undertaken on behalf of the secretary-general by his envoy Jane Hall Lute.

And so, we will be preparing for some quite important weeks ahead, she added.

Lute has been designated by the secretary-general to conduct consultations to see what the outcome of the reflection of the parties is with respect to what happened in Crans-Montana, the past negotiation process and their views on the possible way ahead.

south Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades in a meeting with UN Secretary General Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar

She said Lute will first come to the island and speak with the two leaders and then with the other parties and see what the outcome of their reflection is before reporting back to the secretary-general.

It will be up to the secretary-general to see what the next step will be, she said.

Spehar later met Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. 

Following his meeting with Spehar, Akinci said that the Turkish side has responded positively to the appointment of Lute. As the elections in Turkey are over, he said, the procedure can now carry on.

north Cyprus leader, Mustafa Akinci in a meeting with UN Secretary General Special Representative Elizabeth Speharon Friday

Akinci however said that Lute’s visit cannot be considered as the start of new, never-ending procedure as regards the negotiations. He reiterated that his side is determined not to participate in an open-ended procedure and that they would like a procedure with time frames.

Akinci said that he did not discuss this matter with Spehar, but that he will bring it up during his meeting with Lute.

To achieve a settlement solution, Akinci said, a federal structure with political equality must be agreed, and that need for security of one side will not be considered a threat for the other side.

The date for Lute’s visit has not been finalised yet.

The latest round of reunification talks at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana took place between June 28 and July 6, 2017 but ended in deadlock over disagreements on security and guarantees. 

Both sides have since blamed each other for the collapse.

Lute’s anticipated arrival follows the agreement by Anastasiades and Akinci last April, during their first meeting since the collapse of the talks last July, on the appointment of an envoy by the UN secretary-general to explore the possibility of resuming reunification talks.

Copied and edited from Cyprus Mail