By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday announced a fresh bid to end the decades-long division of Cyprus through informal talks scheduled to take place over two days from 17 March.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric informed reporters in New York that the leaders of both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities would join Mr. Guterres with guarantors Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, at the UN in Geneva.
He noted that the Cyprus was divided between north and south in 1974 after years of hostilities.
UN has led negotiations towards a settlement, with the Security Council authorized a peacekeeping force in 1964, UNFICYP.
In the absence of a lasting agreement, the force remains on the island to supervise ceasefire lines, a buffer zone and to support humanitarian activities.
Mr. Guterres attempted to bring the two sides together in 2017 at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana but talks ultimately broke down. A further push was made in 2021, Dujarric said
He stressed that the meeting will take place “in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices’ efforts on the Cyprus issue,” in line with his commitment to continue efforts made last October.
“The informal meeting will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue,” Mr Dujarric said.
He added “The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Cypriot leaders and all Cypriots.”
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