Guterres from Cyprus: Cypriots want a more peaceful future, and efforts must be made to rebuild confidence

Guterres was speaking to reporters at the end of his visit to Cyprus, where he said he witnessed “a deep desire among Cypriots to build a more peaceful and shared future.”

He added: “It was my duty to come to Cyprus to express my full solidarity with the people of Cyprus in their quest for a solution. This is the moment when every effort must be made to rebuild confidence.”.

He stressed the need to redouble efforts to identify and implement confidence-building measures that he said could make a difference in the daily lives of all Cypriots.

He said that the message of the Cypriots he met during his visit was clear, which was that they wanted to achieve progress, adding: “They want to see their leaders make concessions and go the last mile towards settling the Cyprus issue.”.

Guterres explained that both the Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhorman, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, assured him of their intention to continue working seriously with his personal envoy to Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin.

Guterres said: “Based on our discussions on the way forward, I have decided to hold another meeting of the P5+1, after adequate preparations on confidence building, methodology and substance, taking into account the convergences already achieved.”.

The role of peacekeepers

The Secretary-General of the United Nations stressed the need to respect the authority delegated to United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNVICEP)whether in the buffer zone or in the ceasefire lines determined by the United Nations.

Guterres said: “For more than six decades, UNFICYP has helped maintain calm and stability in a sensitive environment. Its continued effectiveness depends on the cooperation of all parties.”.

He praised the significant contributions and good offices made by UNVISEP staff, stressing that they all play crucial roles in promoting peace, stability and the prospects for reaching a peaceful solution.

Guterres also warned that the international community must play an important role in relation to the Cyprus issue, adding: “In particular, I count on the continued support of the three guarantors: Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom.”.