Reference to the Cyprus Problem by the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General
The Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Mr Farhan Haq, made reference to Cyprus yesterday replying to questions, during the regular press briefing, regarding the departure of President Anastasiades from the official dinner hosted by the Turkish President, in honor of Heads of State and Government, in Turkey, due to the presence of the Turkish Cypriot leader. The specific questions are as follows:
Question: Farhan, do you have anything on this diplomatic incident at the World Humanitarian Summit where the Turkish Cypriot leader was invited to a dinner, it angered the Greek Cypriot leader, and canceled peace talks. What can you tell us about this?
Answer: Well, this was not an arrangement done by the United Nations. As far as we are aware the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı was not a participant at the World Humanitarian Summit. He, however, attended a dinner upon invitation from the President of Turkey who hosted that event. The Secretary General was also there at that event as a guest, but like I said, the arrangement was made by the government of Turkey. That was not an event arrangement by the United Nations.
Question: But now it looks that these peace talks, the next meeting has been canceled. Is there anything happening to address this?
Answer: We haven’t received any official communication about that. However, at this important time in the process, the Secretary General would like to underline that the two leaders have demonstrated a great courage and perseverance in the process and they have achieved a lot. So the Secretary General encourages them to redouble their efforts in the months to come in the benefit of all Cypriots.
