Security Council

6115^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES PROGRESS MADE IN ‘FULLY FLEDGED NEGOTIATIONS’

AIMED AT REUNIFICATION OF CYPRUS, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT

 

Also Commends Leaders of Greek, Turkish Cypriots,

Encourages Special Adviser to Offer Any Support Needed to Achieve Settlement

Commending the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders for the political leadership they have shown in the course of ongoing United Nations-backed talks aimed at reunifying the divided island, the Security Council today warmly welcomed the progress made so far in the fully fledged negotiations, and the leaders’ joint statements.

“The Security Council strongly urges the leaders to increase the momentum in the negotiations to ensure the full exploitation of this opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions,” said Council President Claude Heller of Mexico, reading out a statement approved by all members of the 15-nation body following closed door consultations with Alexander Downer, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

Council members also emphasized the importance of all parties engaging “fully, flexibly and constructively” and looked forward to decisive progress in the negotiations in the near future.  They recognized that a solution requires the support of both sides and will require the approval of both communities in separate and simultaneous referendums.

“In this context, the Security Council fully supports the Secretary-General’s good offices mission and encourages [his] Special Adviser to continue to offer the leaders any support they need to achieve a settlement,” Ambassador Heller said, adding that the Council reiterated its full support for the process and underlined the benefits that reunification would bring to the island.

In May 2008, the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, committed themselves to working towards “a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions”.  The partnership will comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

The meeting was convened at 4:30 p.m. and adjourned at 4:32 p.m.

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2009/10 reads as follows:

“The Security Council commends the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders for the political leadership they have shown and warmly welcomes the progress made so far in the fully fledged negotiations, and the leaders’ joint statements.

“The Security Council strongly urges the leaders to increase the momentum in the negotiations to ensure the full exploitation of this opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions.

“The Security Council emphasises the importance of all parties engaging fully, flexibly and constructively and looks forward to decisive progress in the negotiations in the near future.

“The Security Council recognizes that a solution requires the support of both sides and will require the approval of both communities in separate and simultaneous referenda.  In this context, the Security Council fully supports the Secretary-General’s good offices mission and encourages the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser to continue to offer the leaders any support they need to achieve a settlement.

“The Security Council reiterates its full support for the process and underlines the benefits that reunification will bring to the island.”

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For information media • not an official record