The message conveyed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres' upcoming visit to Cyprus is that the international community is investing in the prospect of a settlement rather than the continuation of the status quo, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis has said.
Speaking to CNA, Letymbiotis described the visit, the first by a UN secretary-general to Cyprus in 16 years, as a significant opportunity to assess the progress made under Guterres' initiative and to hear his views on the next phase of the process.
He said the developing diplomatic activity creates conditions for progress while also highlighting the responsibility of all parties involved to respond constructively.
"The visit of the United Nations Secretary-General to Cyprus is a particularly important development, both in terms of the substance of the contacts and the strong political symbolism it conveys," Letymbiotis said.
According to the spokesman, the visit confirms that the initiative personally undertaken by Guterres remains active, continues to evolve and maintains its momentum.
Letymbiotis said the visit forms part of broader and increasingly intensified international engagement on the Cyprus issue.
"The Secretary-General's initiative, the more active involvement of the European Union, the appointment of a European Commission envoy for Cyprus and the clear linkage between progress in EU-Turkey relations and the Cyprus issue together create a new political environment," he said.
He added that this environment has been shaped by the initiatives of President Nikos Christodoulides aimed at securing greater EU involvement, using EU-Turkey relations as a catalyst for progress and keeping Cyprus high on the international agenda.
Letymbiotis said two key international pillars, the United Nations and the European Union, are now operating in parallel and complementing each other in support of efforts to advance the Cyprus issue under the UN secretary-general's initiative.
"This is not a temporary development," he said. "It reflects the emergence of a broader international dynamic that strengthens the prospects of the process."
He described the increased engagement as the result of sustained diplomatic efforts, continuous contacts and a consistent strategy aimed at mobilising all available international and European tools in support of a solution.
The Republic of Cyprus, he said, remains committed to safeguarding the existing negotiating framework, international law and the agreed UN basis for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.
"With consistency and credibility, we are working to ensure that the next enlarged conference serves as a meaningful springboard for the resumption of negotiations from where they left off," he said.
Letymbiotis argued that current developments highlight the close connection between progress on the Cyprus issue and progress in EU-Turkey relations.
"The message is clear," he said. "The international community is investing in the prospect of a solution and not in the perpetuation of the status quo."
He added that while the current diplomatic momentum creates opportunities for progress, it also places responsibility on all parties to respond positively.
"Our side has demonstrated through actions its willingness and readiness," Letymbiotis said. "The question now is whether everyone will choose to align themselves with the collective international effort and the agreed framework."
Source: CNA
