UN confirms no Cyprus talks

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has confirmed that the time is not yet ripe for re-starting talks to solve the Cyprus problem, despuite constant assurances from Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to Greek Cypriots that a UN initiative is coming soon.

“What is important is that, in the end, there is a plan on the table that rallies both sides and they both agree and unify and live in peace,” he told a press briefing on Wednesday.

“I will have to make a judgment as to whether the situation is ripe for us to resume negotiations and if the parties genuinely are ready to get into the necessary give-and-take that will lead to a settlement,” adding in response to question that “we are there yet, and I had also, as you know, engaged the Greek Cypriot side as well as the European Union.”

“The European Union has attempted to assist the Turkish Cypriots and did approve a substantial amount of money to help with economic development, but there are some bureaucratic issues which have not permitted them to move ahead with the disbursement. I hope the issue will be resolved shortly,” he said.

The UN chief said he “also gave a report to the Security Council indicating that we should make attempts to assist the north.”

“The Council is still sitting on the report; they have not reacted yet. But we will keep engaged. I will be sending envoys periodically to test the ground, to talk to the leaders concerned, for me to make a judgment if and when the time is right for me to proceed.”