Nicosia, Cyprus. The arrival of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Cyprus on Monday night is a significant opportunity to advance efforts to resume negotiations on the Cyprus issue, political parties said.
Call for unity
House President Annita Demetriou said Cyprus must seize the opportunity presented by Guterres’ visit with seriousness, responsibility and national unity.
She said Disy remains firmly supportive of every substantive effort that could lead to the resumption of negotiations and positive outcomes for Cyprus.
Akel position
Akel said the visit offered an opportunity to break the longstanding impasse on the Cyprus issue and pave the way for negotiations to resume on the agreed basis and framework.
The party called for an end to the occupation and the reunification of the island and its people. It said all convergences reached should be preserved and that negotiations should continue from where they were interrupted in 2017 on the remaining issues.
Akel reiterated its support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, saying this was the only solution capable of ending occupation and partition and securing a future of peace and permanent security. It also endorsed a pro-federation demonstration scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Diko seeks concrete steps
Diko said Guterres’ visit should mark the start of a substantive restart of the Cyprus problem on the agreed basis.
It said the secretary-general’s contacts should produce concrete next steps, including an enlarged meeting aimed at returning to substantive talks based on the agreed framework, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the principles of international and European law.
The party criticised Guterres’ decision to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman at his official residence in the northern sector of Ayios Dhometios.
Diko said the venue should be avoided and that the meeting should not be arranged in a way that gives symbolic characteristics of a head of state to the Turkish Cypriot leader. It said the arrangement left room for propaganda exploitation by the occupation regime and Turkey.
