Security Council still discussing Varosha, Spehar expresses UN’s concern

The Security Council is still deliberating on the issue of Varosha and the Secretariat will make a further announcement in due course, UN special envoy to Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar said after briefing the P5 during their meeting on Wednesday.

The Security Council session started around 5pm Cyprus time in New York to discuss the secretary-general’s reports on his Good Offices Mission and Unficyp’s mandate.

CNA reported that Spehar’s briefing lasted around two hours, covering the above but also mentioning the latest developments in Varosha.

In a brief statement following her briefing, Spehar said that she communicated the secretariat’s “deep concern” over the issue and its negative impact on the relations between the parties and the possibility to return to viable settlement talks.

Spehar said that she “reminded the council that the secretary-general has systematically called on its members to refrain from any unilateral actions that could intensify tensions and derail efforts to continue the dialogue for finding common ground, including Varosha”.

No more announcements had been made by late Monday night, Cyprus time