UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun has expressed the belief that the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus have an unprecedented opportunity to embark on the path of the reunification of Cyprus.
In his address Thursday at the UNFICYP Winter medal parade, Zerihoun said that the “leaders of Cyprus have an unprecedented opportunity today, should they bring the process we are facilitating to fruition, to embark on a path of reunification and healing that should unlock the tremendous energy, ingenuity and potential of Greek and Turkish Cypriots towards a more stable, prosperous and bright future together”.
The United Nations, he added, “will be steadfast in our support and assistance to the leaders and their communities as they work to bridge the distance between them”.
“Ours is a supporting role, not a starring one, and we shall play it as long as there is an evident will to close the division between the two communities that would otherwise threaten to grow wider over time”, he stressed.
Referring to the event, he said “it is fitting that we gather here today to pay tribute to our peacekeepers – the men and women before you who come from various parts of the world under the United Nations flag to contribute to efforts to promote peace and stability in Cyprus”.
“It is easy enough to feel a sense of security here, to avert one’s eyes from the obvious and enduring division. The reality, however, will not allow us to look away from the troubling facts of the island’s history, or from the still open wounds inherited from the not so distant and tragic past”, he added.
Her concluded by saying that “the men and women receiving their recognition today play a pivotal role in the overall United Nations support and facilitation of the talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.
