UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said that he is cautiously optimistic regarding overcoming the difficulties of the negotiation process and the resumption of negotiations.

UN Security Council evaluated the latest situation in Cyprus. At the meeting Espen Barth Eide and the UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim informed the members of the Council. Eide said the Security Council has confirmed it stands behind them in efforts to reach a settlement, adding that they felt very encouraged. Adding that there is still a deadlock between the sides for the resumption of negotiations, Eide said “It seems that hydrocarbon issue started to give harm to both sides in Cyprus. Both sides have sincere will to overcome this problem”.

Furthermore, Eide expressed that both sides should take steps to overcome the difficulties. As an answer to the question of Greek journalists regarding which side was responsible for the deadlock, Eide said “It is not meaningful to blame any side. Finding out a way for the resumption of negotiations is the most important thing.”

Replying to another question as: “Why don’t you blame the Turkish Cypriots who occupied Cyprus?”, Eide said : “This is related to your understanding of history. We should not concentrate on the past but concentrate on how to solve the issue in the future”.