During yesterday's (30.1.2023) regular briefing of the UN's international media by the Representative of the Secretary-General Mr. Stéphane Dujarric, OMEGA correspondent Mr. Michael Ignatiou reported on the adoption of the resolution renewing the mandate of UNFICYP, noting that the Security Council (SC) clearly shows its concern about the situation in Varosha and in particular that it takes seriously the Turkish threats to further reopen the fenced area.
He also added that for the first time there is such a clear message in a Security Council resolution that "stresses that any further unilateral action may trigger the reaction of the Security Council". The question posed to the Spokesperson was how can he explain the fact that the gravity of the situation in Varosha is not properly reflected in the Secretary-General's report but rather downplayed?
In response, Mr. Dujarric said that everyone may have different reactions to reading the Secretary-General's report and as far as Varosha is concerned, it is clearly mentioned in the report. The way the Secretary-General mentioned them was the best way he felt they should be mentioned. At the same time, the SG had his own view, stressing that he did not believe that the SG and the Secretary General were in conflict.
Iginatiou went on to say that the SG stressed the urgent need for the appointment of an envoy to lay the groundwork for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus problem, a call that was in line with the Secretary-General's conclusions in his good offices report. What steps does the Secretary-General intend to take to proceed with the appointment of an envoy and under what mandate?
"I think the Security Council urges the parties to reach an agreement so that the Secretary-General can appoint an envoy. From reading the resolution, we see that it calls on the parties to reach an agreement. We are continuing to consult on this, and when we have something to announce we will do so, and then it will be clear in what context it will be done. But the issue remains primarily in the mind of the Secretary General," Dujarric said.
Finally, the OMEGA correspondent, referring to a statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry that it is again calling for a two-state solution in Cyprus, asked for the position of the Secretary General, with the Spokesman noting that he had not seen the statement but - as he had said on Friday - the position of Mr. Guterres' position is included in his report.
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(OP)
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