Leaders met with Ban Ki-moon

Talks in Switzerland, which aim to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, have now begun. President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades met with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Mont Pelerin, a town in Switzerland, where the talks are being carried out.

Following the opening ceremony of the Mont Pelerin summit, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to the press. Stating that the talks are being conducted under the auspices of the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor to Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, Ban said that the talks will focus on the territory issue as well as other outstanding issues.

“The two leaders have expressed their hope that this meeting will pave the way for the last phase of the talks, in line with their shared commitment to do their utmost in order to reach a settlement within 2016,” said Ban.

“I highly commend the two leaders for their efforts. Significant progress had been made in the leader-led process over the past 18 months” he added.

Noting that a number of sensitive and difficult issues still remained, the UN Secretary General Ban expressed his belief that the Leaders were committed and determined to work towards solving these issues.

“The two leaders have reached a critical juncture in their talks. I encourage them to make the most of the moment and the momentum,” said Ban. “It will be crucial as they tackle the outstanding issues across the various chapters, during this week in Switzerland and beyond.”

Commending the leaders for their vision, courage and leadership for advancing their talks further than ever before, Ban said that “The prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach. Expectations in both communities are high”.

Ban Ki-moon also added that Cyprus offered tremendous hope to people around the world and that long-standing conflicts can be resolved peacefully through negotiations.

Ban assured the two Leaders of his full support and the commitment of the United Nations to assist them in any way to help them reach their shared goal, while respecting that the future of Cyprus would be determined by Cypriots, for all Cypriots.

He also called on the guarantor powers of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as the wider international community, to support the leaders in their efforts.

Ban Ki-moon also thanked the Swiss government for hosting the talks.