Cyprus anticipates official announcements within the next week regarding the appointment of a United Nations Secretary-General’s envoy for the Cyprus issue, President Christodoulides said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters in Voroklini upon his arrival for a meeting with local authorities and stakeholders from Larnaca, Christodoulides addressed his recent participation in the Ukraine summit in Paris and the subsequent five-way meeting involving France, Greece, Syria, and Lebanon.
Regarding the UN envoy appointment, Christodoulides stated, “We have been in contact with the UN, and the relevant UN bureaucratic procedures are underway for the appointment to proceed. I believe that within a week from now, at the latest, we will have the announcements from the UN side.”
Turning to the Ukraine summit, the president highlighted Cyprus’s involvement. “I will first comment on our participation in the Ukraine summit, because I saw some comments within the framework of the daily statements of some who criticise the government. The Republic of Cyprus, along with Ireland, were the only non-NATO member states that participated at the level of head of government, and you understand the importance of this participation. And I hear criticism from some, who again criticised when the Republic of Cyprus was not present. Let them continue in the same vein, it does not concern us.”
On the subsequent five-way meeting, Christodoulides noted that discussions primarily focused on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on Syria and Lebanon. “Some important messages were sent to the interim President of the country regarding actions that need to be taken so that the country can return to the international stage, so that we can consider the full lifting of sanctions, which was something requested yesterday,” he said, adding that developments in Lebanon were also discussed.
Christodoulides reiterated Cyprus’s active support for political processes in Lebanon aimed at forming a government. “I was in Lebanon within 24 hours of the new President assuming his duties, and I believe that our invitation by the French President – it was an initiative of the French President – demonstrates in practice the importance of our country.”
Asked about the upcoming meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, President Christodoulides said, “We have the meeting following what was agreed in Geneva, I hope there will be a result, we are going to this meeting for there to be an announcable result. We both, and all participants in the (Geneva) conference, have undertaken some obligations towards the UN Secretary-General, and we are ready to begin implementing these obligations.”
Read more:
