Remarks by the Government Spokesman about the
appointment
of a Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on
the Cyprus problem
We have been consulted and briefed by the UN
Secretary General about his intention to appoint a new Special Advisor on the
Cyprus problem, said the Government Spokesman Mr Nikos Christodoulides
today.
In his remarks to reporters, at the presidential
residence in Troodos mountains, on the sidelines of the meeting of the Council
of Ministers, Mr Christodoulides in response to a question said that “the
President of the Republic, after briefing the leaders of the parliamentary
parties, has expressed the consensual/positive opinion of Nicosia. The process
is under way, there are internal UN procedures, at the end of the day it the
exclusive prerogative of the Secretary General, and we must wait for the final
decision perhaps by around the end of the week when the relevant announcements
will also be made.
The appointment of a Special Advisor by itself is
important and it is an indication of the international interest on the Cyprus
problem. At the same time, we must say that the appointment by itself cannot
bring about results. What we hope for and expect following also the recent
elections in Turkey is the more active involvement of Turkey in the process, so
that there will be specific results.
It is still early to speak about results. We are
waiting to see in the next time period. As the President of the Republic
mentioned, the next three months will be critical with regard to the course of
the Cyprus problem.”
Asked whether in case everything goes well there is a possibility for
the new Special Advisor to be also present at the next meeting of the President
of the Republic with the Turkish Cypriot leader, the Government Spokesman said
that “it has not been set yet. You realize that the official appointment must be
made first and then I am sure that he will visit Cyprus. If he is not present at
the meeting of the two leaders then surely after the meeting and before the
departure of the President to New York for the UN General Assembly, which will
be on 21 September, we expect that he will visit Cyprus.”
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