The UN Security Council adopted at a meeting yesterday
the Presidential statement on Cyprus, which was read by the President of the
Council, Permanent Representative of South Africa Ambassador Dumisani Shadrack
Kumalo. "The Security Council warmly welcomes the agreement reached on 21 March
2008 by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders and commends them for the
political leadership they have shown. "The Security Council is encouraged by the
launch of the Working Groups and the Technical Committees that will prepare the
ground for the start of fully fledged negotiations, in a spirit of good faith,
on a comprehensive and durable settlement under the auspices of the
Secretary-General's Good Offices Mission. The Security Council looks forward to
the results of this preparatory process within the three-month timeline agreed
by the two leaders, which it is hoped will build trust, momentum and a sense of
common interest in the search for a just and lasting solution. "The Security
Council further welcomes the opening of the Ledra Street crossing, as an
indication of political will to tackle issues that have obstructed progress, and
an important signal that both sides seek to improve the lives of all Cypriots.
The Security Council looks forward to further such confidence-building measures.
"The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the reunification of Cyprus
based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation and political equality, as set out in
the relevant Security Council resolutions, and its willingness to support the
efforts of the Secretary-General to this end. In this context, the Security
Council welcomes the readiness of the Secretary-General to assist the parties in
Cyprus, and further welcomes the prospect of the appointment, after the
completion of the preparatory period and based on progress, of a Special Adviser
to facilitate movement towards a comprehensive settlement. "The Security Council
welcomes the appointment of Tayé-Brook Zerihoun as the Secretary-General's new
Special Representative to Cyprus, and expresses its appreciation for the work of
the previous Special Representative, Michael Møller."
