**UN Security Council Members Support Renewed Talks on Cyprus**
In a significant development regarding the long-standing Cyprus issue, members of the United Nations Security Council convened for a closed-door briefing on Thursday to discuss the latest reports from the UN Secretary-General concerning the island. The briefing, led by Khassim Diagne, the new Special Representative in Cyprus and head of the UN peacekeeping force (Unficyp), lasted for an hour and a half and took place in New York.
During the session, Diagne emphasized the ongoing efforts by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, who has been actively engaging with both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The aim of these discussions is to facilitate the resumption of negotiations aimed at resolving the division of Cyprus, which has persisted since 1974.
The briefing highlighted a collective commitment among European members of the Security Council, including France, Latvia, Greece, and Denmark, as well as the United States, to support a settlement in Cyprus. This support is anchored in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which emphasizes political equality between the two communities on the island.
In contrast, representatives from Pakistan and Somalia raised concerns regarding the socio-economic conditions faced by the Turkish Cypriot community. They referred to what they termed “economic inequalities” and “conditions of isolation” that impact the daily lives of the Turkish Cypriots, suggesting that these issues must be addressed as part of any comprehensive settlement process.
The discussions come at a time when the need for renewed dialogue is increasingly recognized by various stakeholders, both within Cyprus and internationally. The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts on the island since the conflict began, and the recent engagement by the Secretary-General’s envoy signals a renewed focus on finding a sustainable solution.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation, the hope is that these talks will lead to a breakthrough in the negotiations, allowing for a peaceful resolution to the division of Cyprus and improving the living conditions for all its inhabitants.