Concern and criticism over drafts of UN chief’s latest reports

Parties on the domestic front have expressed their concern over the UN Secretary-General’s reports on the Cyprus problem, saying it was gravely worrying though each for a different bag of reasons.

Opposition Akel called them “perhaps the worst reports of all time,” warning “the entire spirit of both reports reveals the growing resignation from the international community over efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.”

An unofficial copy of UNSG Antonio Guterres’ report detailed a hard-line rhetoric on both sides, was causing prospects for Cyprus settlement to fade. Meanwhile, his good offices report detailed a bleak review of and outlook for the Cyprus problem, with a “polarised political environment.”

“The Cyprus problem is in the most dire and dangerous phase since 1974 and the UNSG sees no shred of hope to take initiatives,” Akel went on.

It also saw issue with how Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s statements calling for partition “were not strongly condemned” in the reports, but rather, were used as a basis to highlight the need for negotiations.

Disy leader and presidential candidate Averof Neophytou said the report was worrying and highlighted the new president would have the responsibility to resume substantive negotiations in line with the Guterres framework.

“Our mission is to break the deadlock, having the international factor on our side. We will do this with mobilisation, with initiatives, by putting on the table serious and implementable proposals for the lifting of the impasse in the Cyprus issue and the reunification of our country.”

In a statement, Diko found fault with how both sides were described to share the responsibility equally, rather than having the blame squarely on Turkey.

“The UNSG insists on assigning equal responsibility to both sides, for the lack of progress on the Cyprus problem.”

“It is unthinkable to place blame on our side since it is Turkey that deviates away from the agreed framework of a solution, it is the Turkish side creating tensions at the green line, the Turkish side that violates UN resolutions in occupied Famagusta.”

It is also Turkey that continues to wage hybrid warfare on Cyprus through the migration issue, Diko added.

Continuously blaming both sides equally rather than pointing the finger at Turkey allows Turkey to continue undeterred, the party added.

Elam said beyond the UN, governments in Cyprus over the years as well as the national council are to blame for “staying caged in dichotomous compromises of Turkish specifications.”