Eide: “No basis” for sustaining shuttle diplomacy

UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide has stated that leaders were unable to find common ground despite active shuttle diplomacy between the two sides, which he had been engaged in since 17 May, as requested by the leaders.

In his written statement Eide stated, “As both leaders have publicly expressed their desire to reconvene the Conference on Cyprus and to finalise all outstanding issues in Geneva, our sole focus has been to agree the modalities by which this can be achieved. Unfortunately, despite serious efforts to overcome their differences regarding the modalities for meeting in Geneva, the leaders were unable to find common ground. Without a prospect for common ground, there is no basis for continuing this shuttle diplomacy.”