UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he was encouraged by what he saw and heard during his recent visit to Cyprus adding that a settlement of the Cyprus problem is within reach.
Ban, who briefed the UN Security Council about his recent visits to London, Ethiopia and Cyprus told journalists that ''Leaders made good progress, but talks need to go farther, faster. My Special Advisor Alexander Downer will work to keep up the momentum of this Cypriot-led process.I do believe a solution is within reach – but it will require even more courage, compromise and commitment,'' he added.
Responding to a question, Ban said he was very much encouraged by such a strong commitment by both leaders to continue their negotiations. ''And I was again, very much encouraged and touched by the strong support of the people from both sides who were chanting, in unison, shouting 'resolution now','' he added.
As he noted, ''these were all the loud and clear voices from the general population, regardless of where they were from, both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot. That was quite moving for me. I felt a strong sense of responsibility (about) what the United Nations can do more to facilitate this Cypriot-led and Cypriot-owned negotiation.''
He said that his observation was that a solution was possible and a solution was within reach, and, in fact, they made significant progress in power-sharing and governance. ''I was quite encouraged by this. Of course, there are many more important issues: property; border and security issues. I hope they will continue,'' UN Secretary General said.
He added that Cyprus President Demetris Christofias told him that he would issue some sort of plan for further negotiations, despite the so called elections in Cyprus occupied areas to be held in April, adding that this ''is quite encouraging.''
''And I am going to have my special adviser, Alexander Downer, continuously engaged, so that this negotiation will be facilitated,'' Ban concluded.
President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
