The UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, has stated that the solution process in Cyprus has reached the last stage, and the number of disagreements between the two sides is less than ten. Eide stressed that the leaders are ready and willing to solve these disagreements.

Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası following the tripartite summit in New York, Eide stated that there is an unnamed road map, adding that the main issue is the format of solution, rather than its principles.

Referring to the suggestions that a solution is possible within 90 days, Eide said “In the past, more difficult problems have been solved in a much shorter timeframe. If there is a will for a solution, a way can always be found”.

Furthermore, Eide referred to the meeting, explaining, “Issues around the process were discussed, as well as how the leaders will evaluate these matters. Of course, the UN Secretary General knows what is said at the negotiations, as well as the consensuses and disagreements.

However, the last stage of a settlement was also considered. It is natural to experience tensions at that stage. In this context, it is not a secret that there are some disagreements between the two sides. Both sides agree what should be done; some difficult points of the process should be solved at an international conference, a settlement should be reached, and then be submitted to a referendum”.

Eide also said, “There are some problems as well. One of these issues is that of property. The territory issue should be discussed to in order to find a solution to the property issue, because the two issues are related to each other. That’s why it is not possible to end the property issue without discussing the territory issue. I can say that there is no significant difference between the two sides. There is disagreement on some of the issues, such as the rotating presidency, but solving these will not be difficult. In this context, the Turkish Cypriot side’s expectation in overcoming these difficulties at this summit would be a little assertive’’.