UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has stated his strong personal support for the ongoing efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He has also spoken at length with both President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.

Giving an interview to Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, Ban Ki Moon stressed that this is a leader-led process and that the United Nations remains committed to supporting the efforts of both leaders. The Secretary General commented that he is encouraged that the Cyprus peace talks continue to make real progress in an atmosphere of trust and goodwill. He stressed that in over a year of intensive negotiations President Mustafa Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, have been working hard to address the most important issues for their communities while still respecting the rights of the other community.

UN Secretary-General also said that he is encouraged by the high level of political support that both leaders are providing to the process, adding that he acknowledges that reaching an agreement won’t be easy but that the current round of talks offers the best chance that Cyprus has for a lasting settlement.

He stressed that all guarantor countries have significant roles for supporting the Cyprus negotiations and that all of the guarantor countries, including Turkey, have provided high-level support. Ban Ki-Moon also said that the UN Security Council continues to support the negotiation, and have highlighted their support through various statements.

The Secretary-General stated: “I am encouraged that the Cyprus peace talks, facilitated by my Special Adviser, Mr. Espen Barth Eide continue to make good progress in an atmosphere of trust and goodwill”.

In the meantime, Ban said that the chapter of security and guarantees is a crucial part of a settlement. It is essential that the outcome of the negotiations will be a federation where both communities can feel safe and secure without seeking their security to the detriment of the other side. The United Nations stands ready to assist and support both sides with post-settlement security arrangements once they reach a comprehensive agreement and it has intensified its planning concerning a settlement. This plan has been welcomed by the two sides and will continue to be guided by developments in the negotiations and the views of the parties on the possible role of the United Nations in that regard.

As of now, both sides have indicated that they would like the United Nations to continue to play a role in Cyprus post settlement. The details of this engagement will be decided as the two sides get closer to reaching a comprehensive solution.