Secretary-General Welcomes Accord between Greek, Turkish Cypriot

 

Leaders, Thanks Special Adviser as He Steps Down

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

I warmly welcome the finalization of a joint communiqué today and the formal re-launch by the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Derviş Eroğlu, of fully fledged negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

I commend the leaders for their commitment to resuming negotiations and for their hard work in the past months to reach what is an important statement of shared principles and invaluable basis for renewed talks.

I also recognize the indispensable role played by my Special Adviser Alexander Downer to this point, beginning from his appointment in September 2008.  Mr. Downer has informed me that now that the joint communiqué has been achieved, he has decided to take up a new position and step down as my Special Adviser.  I thank him sincerely for his perseverance and commitment over the past five and a half years, and wish him well in his future endeavours.

The United Nations will continue to support the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their efforts to reunify the island and move on from decades of separation.  I personally pledge our resolute commitment to these efforts.

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For information media • not an official record