CYPRUS: UN Security Council says island\\\’s division is unsustainable

While members of the UN Security Council welcomed the leaders meeting of 26 February it encouraged them toward speedy agreement on the core issues, stressing that the status quo is unsustainable.

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A statement issued, said the UNSC welcomed the progress made by the two leaders on confidence- building measures, particularly their decisions on mobile phone interoperability and electricity interconnectivity to facilitate greater interaction between the two communities, as well as their decision on the clearance of 18 suspected hazardous areas with a view to working towards a mine-free Cyprus.

They recalled their resolution 2453 (2019) and encouraged the leaders to continue their efforts towards agreement on and implementation of new confidence building measures.

The Security Council urged the sides and all involved participants to renew their political will and commitment to a settlement under United Nations auspices.

“The members of the Security Council further reiterated their call upon the two leaders to put their efforts expeditiously behind further work on reaching convergences on the core issues, stressing that the status quo is unsustainable,” said the statement.

The Council underlined its support for a Cypriot-led process and reaffirmed the primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to reach a settlement.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

The last round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended in failure, there has been no negotiations since then.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met earlier this week but came no closer to paving the way for the resumption of peace talks.