The UN Secretary-General’s will to continue his efforts on the Cyprus issue has been declared, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Tuesday, referring once again to the joint statement following the leaders’ meeting last week and the position on a solution based on UN Security Council resolutions.
Following a Cabinet meeting, Kombos was invited by the press to comment on a statement by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, on the expanded Cyprus meeting and the fact that good preparation is needed, as well as to comment whether this meeting is uncertain.
He clarified that he does not agree with this approach and added that it is a matter of interpretation and that in any case the SG is the one to send out the invitations.
“Ultimately, the Secretary General must take into account a series of factors. Many of these also have a practical dimension. Therefore, the final decision was and always remains with the Secretary General, whose will is declared in terms of continuing intensive engagement with the Cyprus issue”, he said.
Kombos noted also that the issue of the five-party expanded meeting for Cyprus and when this will take place depend on how things progress, possibly, but also on a series of other parameters.
The FM reassured of the Greek Cypriot side’s readiness and commitment to return to the dialogue, adding that it would be ideal if we could reach a form of announcement that we are now entering into substantive negotiations.
But he advised all to be patient as the SG’s envoy is yet to meet with Turkish FM.
Replying to another question the FM noted that there are other statements by Holguin in her interview [with Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros], ie the reference to the UN resolutions in the joint communiqué after the leaders’ meeting.
In response to another question, he said that the Greek Cypriot side was informed about Holguin’s meetings in Athens but will not speak on behalf of her interlocutors.