Note to Correspondents

FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS ON CYPRUS UNDER AEGIS OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE

OF SECRETARY-GENERAL, ‘AN OPPORTUNITY REMAINS’ FOR SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

Alvaro de Soto, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, has held intensive consultations in Copenhagen on 12 and 13 December 2002.

Unfortunately, it has not proved possible to achieve a comprehensive settlement.  However, the parties’ positions have never been closer, and agreement seemed possible up until the last minute.

The Secretary-General’s revised 10 December proposal remains on the table.  While it is regrettable that the current opportunity has been missed, both sides have expressed their willingness to continue negotiations.

It is very important that the unprecedented progress that has been made should be consolidated, and that all concerned redouble their efforts to achieve a settlement in the coming period.  An opportunity remains, particularly until

28 February, to resolve this problem and achieve a comprehensive settlement which would allow a reunited Cyprus to accede to the European Union.

The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser is travelling to New York tomorrow to report to the Secretary-General.

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