UNSG’s Special Adviser on Cyprus is optimistic about reaching a solution

According to a report by the Greek Cypriot newspaper Alithia, the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide wrote an article under the headline ‘I can see a solution in Cyprus in a few months’ in the Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen.

The article highlights that the next few months will be a crucial period in the Cyprus negotiations.

Eide affirmed in his article that both sides believe in a solution and that peace will prevail in Cyprus.

While external factors still affect Cyprus, Eide acknowledged that without Turkey’s strong support, peace will not be possible on the island. Eide also highlighted that a new state structure will be created, as both sides have agreed on power-sharing through a presidential system which will be comprised of an upper and lower house in parliament. They have also agreed on the electoral system, he stated.

In his article, Eide praised the two Leaders’ efforts towards achieving a solution, and highlighted the importance of making progress on the Cyprus issue due to its geographic proximity to the Middle East.

Eide also stated that the presence of hydrocarbon deposits in the region could be a cause of conflict in the event that a solution is not reached.

Eide noted that out of six chapters necessary for a solution on Cyprus, four chapters – governance and power-sharing, property, economy and the EU – have already been discussed.  The two most contentious chapters – territory and security and guarantees – will be discussed at the end of the negotiation process.