Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

In his latest report on Cyprus, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says the Cyprus negotiations process continues in a good direction and the two leaders are in ‘perfect unison’.
Mr Ban has also offered the extension of the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus-UNFICYP’s term of duty for another 6 months which he said still plays a significant role due to the lack of a comprehensive settlement.
The current term of duty of UNFICYP expires on 15th December.
In his Cyprus report he presented to the UN Security Council, Ban said efforts aiming to provide a solution to the Cyprus problem have entered into a new phase in the last 6 months.

He said the launch of negotiations with the aim of finding a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus on a bi-communal, bi-zonal basis together with political equality of the two sides is encouraging.

That reflects the political bravery, vision and the committment towards a solution- which Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias share, Ban said.

`I very much appreciate the political leadership of two leaders` he added, encouraging them to take the negotiations process forward.
The UN Secretary-General noted that the common vision is the guide of the negotiations process which now continues with discussions on power-sharing.

Explaining his observation over the latest developments, Ban stated that the two sides explain their own positions and negotiate them in a clear and constructive way- which is a sign that the process continues in a good direction.

Stating that the main framework of the solution of the Cyprus problem and the parameters set already are very well-known, the Secretary-General said it is an advantage to have a wide range of past studies on the Cyprus issue.

He added however that there are difficult issues that need to be resolved and it is natural for the two sides to have differences.
The UN underlined the need for taking up negotiation issues within the framework of a possible agreement.

`This process requires a patient and persevering approach and I have no doubt that the two leaders will stay committed to this process with their regular meetings` Ban stressed.

He said what is waiting for Talat and Christofias as partners and not as rivals, is to maintain the acceleration at negotiations.
Reminding that the final agreement reached between the two leaders will be put into simultaneous referenda in both sides, Ban emphasized the need for the two leaders not to disregard the political aspect of the process in that sense.

Ban called on both sides to explain their peoples the benefits of a solution which will be based on a `win-win` understanding, in many fields such as economy, politics and security.

`This is what needs to be done if they want a settlement. However making complaints and maintaining negotiations through media are contradictory to that goal` he stressed.

Ban also called on the two sides to ease the way for the civil society to actively participate in discussions on the future of Cyprus.