New UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his team have been extensively informed on the Cyprus problem, said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the current United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Guterres will succeed Ban on January 1, 2017.

Answering questions during Friday`s press briefing if Guterres will participate in the upcoming talks for Cyprus in Geneva in January 2017 and whether Espen Barth Eide will continue to be part of the negotiations, Dujarric said that “as for those who will remain in the next administration that’s really a question to ask the incoming team”.

He also said that it is “a little too early to tell whether the next Secretary-General will go” to the Geneva talks. “ I think all of that is part of the transition planning. What I can tell you is that from the current Secretary-General’s side, his team, they have been extensive briefings on all issues especially, especially, obviously those political issues which are at a critical, delicate point as the Cyprus issue is”.

Dujarric said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “is determined to ensure that no ball is dropped on during the transition”, adding that Ban “very much welcomes this very positive news we are hearing on Cyprus that the two leaders have agreed to come back in Geneva”.

He said the Cyprus issue “is an issue that the Secretary-General Ban is following closely. You know he has been involved, he went to Mont Pèlerin so I think we are happy to see these latest developments”.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-backed talks since May last year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.