WARNESS: Gutters - Concern for developments in the fenced area

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, expresses concern in his report on the Cyprus issue because the positions of the two communities have become more established.

Anonymous 45 x 20 cm 1200 x 675 px 25 exclusive, Varosia, fenced area

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expresses concern in his report on the Cyprus issue because the positions of the two communities, he says, appear to have been further consolidated and further away. At the same time, he stressed his concern about the developments in the fenced area of ​​Varosia.

The report was officially released yesterday.

At the same time he emphasizes that The continuing lack of progress in Cyprus has significant implications for all Cypriots and called on the parties to refrain from any actions that do not help and to actively seek solutions through dialogue.

He points out that without decisive action, the ongoing dynamics in and around Cyprus and the election timetables will make future efforts to find a mutually agreed solution to the Cyprus problem impossible.

It also calls on the two leaders to move beyond the current challenges and to provide practical and political support and guidance to all technical committees; noting that dialogue and rapprochement mechanisms are of particular importance and may rekindle hope that progress between the parties can indeed be made.

At the same time, in his report, the Secretary General points out that Demonstrating flexibility and firm political will is paramount and calls on the parties to participate constructively in finding and building common ground. with the aim of repeating substantive peace talks.

The Secretary-General recalls that in its last resolution, the SA called on the leaders of the two communities to present in writing the actions they had implemented in support of the relevant provisions of the resolution after its adoption.

Referring to the report, he said that focuses on developments from June 19-December 15, 2021.

In his comments, the Secretary General states that the passage of time continues to cause problems in the efforts finding a mutually acceptable solution in Cyprus.

He notes "With concern that during this period, the positions of the communities seem to have been further consolidated and are further away."

He says he has met with leaders during the period, as well as the guarantors, and has kept the lines of communication open so that he can speak openly and directly with all stakeholders.

He notes that the mission of good services helps to maintain dialogue at various levels and to promote rapprochement between communities. Significant work, he said, has been done with the parties to provide support to the technical committees, as they considered additional confidence-building measures and addressed serious issues on the island, including, as a matter of priority, the negative effects of the pandemic. COVID-19.

The regularity of the meetings hosted by the UN Representative in Cyprus between the two negotiators and the relevant discussions under the mission of good services is positive, Guterres notes, especially in light of the ongoing challenges for a constructive dialogue. Given the continuing absence of negotiations, the presence of leaders at the December 14th reception in Nicosia, he said, "It sent a positive message to the general public. "I urge the two leaders and their representatives to continue to work together and with the United Nations in this context."

Regarding the work of the technical committees, with a few exceptions, such as the remarkable achievements of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the November announcement by the Technical Committee on Telecommunications and the beneficial role played by the Technical Committee on Health in the pandemic, "I continue to believe that these commissions are still largely untapped."

He welcomed the resumption of the Imagine peace education program, but emphasized the lack of progress on other projects under the auspices of the Technical Committee for Education, as well as other technical committees, which could make a significant contribution to reconciling and consolidating peace. young people.

The Secretary General states that "It is unfortunate that no progress has been made on the Security Council's request for a joint study of school supplies, including textbooks, as a contribution to building trust between communities."

The Secretary General greets "The regular exchange of epidemiological information and coordination within the Technical Health Committee on measures related to the COVID-19. Despite the harmonization of measures and the adjustment of restrictions at crossing points, significant challenges remain, including the share of vaccines approved by the European Union. At the same time, he stressed that while discussions continue to provide full and equal access for Turkish Cypriots to the EU COVID Digital Certificate, "progress is slow and more efforts are needed as a matter of priority".

The continuing absence of substantive negotiations and the positions of the parties on the basis of a solution in Cyprus have begun to affect the work of the technical committees, the Secretary General said, adding that despite calls from the Security Council for the two leaders to provide the necessary political support. and general guidance to remove obstacles from the technical committees and to enable them to function effectively, the decisions on activities and projects proposed by the committees, "In some cases, they began to reflect the lack of common ground for the talks."

The Secretary General invites the Greek Cypriot and the T / leader and their representatives to work together on confidence-building measures and to continue to revitalize the work of the technical committees, so that they can use their potential to positively influence the daily life of Cypriots.

It calls on leaders to overcome current challenges, including those related to terminology, and to provide practical and political support and guidance to all committees in order to enable the full revitalization of their work. The mechanisms of dialogue and rapprochement are of particular importance and may, due to the lack of dialogue, rekindle the hope in the population that progress between the parties can indeed be made.

At the same time, the Secretary-General notes that "there is a risk that deepening inequalities between the two economies will begin to erode the basis of the significant convergences achieved in the past, hence the need for more coordinated efforts to address the economic impact of the pandemic and other factors." , while promoting greater economic ties and increased trade on the island ".

The Secretary-General also expresses his concern about developments in the enclave of Varos. The UN position in Varosi remains unchanged, citing the SA President's statements and resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), "and I stress the importance of complying with these resolutions".

He also expressed concern about the growing tensions in and around Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, noting that natural resources in and around Cyprus should benefit both communities and be a strong incentive for the parties. to find a mutually acceptable and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem. "I urge the parties to show restraint and make a serious effort to de-escalate tensions," he said.

In addition, it further encourages "Parties to follow international best practices on women's participation in decision - making centers on conflict resolution and peace processes, as highlighted in successive Security Council resolutions.

It also commends the Technical Committee on Gender Equality for its work and calls on leaders to agree, as a matter of priority, on a joint action plan.

At the same time, it reiterates the Security Council's support for greater citizen participation and confidence-building, and urges leaders to encourage greater contact and cooperation between the two communities.

Antonio Guterres calls on leaders to see the future with pragmatism. "As can be seen from the written statements of the leaders in the report, the positions of the parties remain very far away", the Secretary General emphasizes and adds that the continuing lack of political progress has significant consequences for all Cypriots.

I call on all parties to refrain from unhelpful actions and to actively seek a solution through dialogue. "Without decisive action, the continuous dynamics in and around Cyprus and the election timetables could make impossible the future efforts to achieve a mutually acceptable settlement of the Cyprus problem. Demonstration of flexibility and firm political will by the parties is of the utmost importance. I call on the parties to participate constructively in finding and building common ground, with a view to repeating substantive peace talks. "A United Nations envoy to lead this commitment could provide crucial support in this regard."

End, Stresses the importance for all Cypriots to take an active part in shaping the future of the island and calls on the guarantor forces to support the efforts for a final solution to the Cyprus problem and the achievement of peace and prosperity for all Cypriots.