Hope remains for a Cyprus settlement, but that is not enough, said UN Head of Mission Elizabeth Spehar at the Economist conference in Nicosia.
Spehar told the conference that the period since the collapse of peace talks in July 2017 has been characterised by a deepened mistrust and a tendency to blame others for that failure.
But the UN Secretary General in his recent report said that prospects for a comprehensive settlement “remain alive”.
Spehar said that the meeting of the two leaders on Oct 26 and the opening of the first crossing points in ten years, has been an encouraging development.
“That offers some hope. It shows the willingness of the two leaders to meet and discuss for the good of their communities and demonstrate their ability to take decisive steps to improve the lives of Cypriots on both sides of the divide through concrete measures.”
“It’s my hope that the leaders can build on the momentum gained by the opening of the crossing points to push forward other long awaited and beneficial confidence building measures in the coming period.”
Spehar said the contacts of Cyprus envoy Jane Holl Lute, “were fruitful”, adding that “the parties seem to share the view expressed by the SG that an unchanging status quo, that is the lack of the resolution of the Cyprus issue is truly not sustainable”.
She said that the Security Council’s commitment to the Cyprus issue also brings hope and stressed that the UN understands that the international community and, in particular, the guarantor powers, the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey, must do their part to support this process and contribute positively to reaching a solution.
“At the same time, the UN, including the Secretary-General, has been quite clear that it is first and foremost up to the Cypriots, and especially the two leaders, to determine the future course of this process,” Spehar said.
She also stressed that a lot more would need to be done in a future process to prepare the two communities for a settlement, to explain the benefits of a solution, change mindsets and build a shared vision for the future.
“Public outreach will be key to prepare both communities in a timely manner.”
“It is also my own careful reflection that hope, in fact, remains. But at the same time, we must admit, hope is not enough. In recognizing this, it is incumbent upon everyone who cares about this issue to do their part and to consider the ways in which they can contribute towards the settlement of the Cyprus issue.”
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, announced that the Lefka/Aplici and Dherynia crossings will open on November 12.
