PRESS STATEMENT ON CYPRUS BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON Cyprus BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the press statement on Cyprus, delivered today by Security Council President Gunter Pleuger (Germany):

The Security Council takes note of the outcome of the referenda held in Cyprus on 24 April 2004 on the Comprehensive Settlement on the Cyprus problem.  The Council respects the outcome of both referenda.

The Security Council shares the Secretary-General’s disappointment that efforts since 1999 to reunify the island have not succeeded and regrets that an extraordinary and historic opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue has been missed.

The Security Council reiterates its strong support for an overall political settlement in Cyprus.

The Security Council expresses its deep appreciation for the committed and sustained efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto in the implementation of the Good Offices Mission entrusted by the Security Council.

The Security Council looks forward to the Secretary-General’s forthcoming report, in response to which the Council will need to give careful consideration to the implications of the outcome of the referenda.

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