Nicosia, Cyprus. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric declined on Monday to comment on reports that the UN is seeking a “looser” solution to the Cyprus problem. He said Guterres and his envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, remain committed to supporting Cyprus’ leaders towards the resumption of negotiations.
UN response
“I understand your interest and curiosity about the Independent article. We have seen it. We have read the publication,” Dujarric said, referring to reports published by the British newspaper on Sunday.
He added that Guterres and Holguin remain committed to supporting the leaders in Cyprus towards renewed talks.
Reported proposal
Reports first published by Politis three weeks earlier suggested that Holguin had presented a “looser” settlement model involving two constituent states. Under the reported structure, the central government would retain only competences considered necessary for the new state to function internationally, within the European Union and institutionally.
The reports said the central government would be led by a presidential council headed by the leaders of the two communities, with a cabinet of five or six ministers responsible for foreign affairs, defence, internal affairs, finance and European affairs.
Most other competences would be assigned to the constituent states, according to the reports.
Guarantees and transition
The reports also suggested guarantees could include the accession of a new Cypriot republic to Nato and the presence on the island of Nato troops from Turkey, Greece, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
They further said implementation could take two or three years, during which Turkish Cypriots would cede territory. In exchange, the Turkish Cypriot side would be allowed direct trade, direct contact and direct flights to Ercan (Tymbou) airport.
Cypriot reactions
Cypriot deputy high commissioner in London Spyros Miltiades denied in the Independent that there was a formal UN proposal.
“As far as I know, there has been no formal UN proposal that either side has been asked to respond to,” he said.
“The ideas being circulated appear to be speculative rather than a concrete proposal or plan. Any meaningful progress would need to come through the established UN-led process and within the agreed UN framework,” he added.
Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou also declined to comment on the prospect of Nato guarantees or a “looser” settlement following the original Politis report, saying the content of any potential solution was not currently a matter for discussion.
