Nicosia, Cyprus. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the placement of the flag of the ‘TRNC’ at a meeting between Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and UN undersecretary-general for peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo was an “unfortunate moment”.
Government response and demarches
Letymbiotis told reporters on Tuesday that “from the very beginning, demarches were made through are permanent mission to the UN and in Nicosia”.
He said, “From the very beginning, we have made strong representations, both in Cyprus and in New York, at the permanent representation of the Republic of Cyprus, and for this reason, we have seen yesterday the corresponding response.”
Letymbiotis added that the placement of the flag had “even violated the UN security council’s resolutions” and said that following a comment from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric late on Monday night, it “has been dissociated from the secretary-general himself”.
UN spokesman’s statement
Dujarric was asked about the flag’s placement and said that “the photograph which was released reflects the layout of the meeting space”.
He added: “Let us be clear. This does not signal any change in the UN’s position on the Cyprus issue. Our position continues to be guided by the relevant security council resolutions. The UN continues to support efforts for a comprehensive and sustainable settlement on the island, within the established framework.”
Meeting setting and context
The flags of the UN and of the ‘TRNC’ appeared intertwined at the table where Erhurman and DiCarlo were seated during their meeting in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya on Saturday.
Typically, the UN flag is only placed beside national flags of UN member states when heads of state meet secretaries-general.
Erhurman’s office described the meeting as “productive” and said they discussed confidence-building measures devised between Cyprus’ two sides and “the latest situation regarding the Cyprus problem”.
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