Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus Colin Stewart stressed the importance of the appointment of a UN envoy in Cyprus, after several years, saying that the Secretary-General sees this appointment as crucial.

In his remarks in a reception he hosted Monday for the end of year, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, Stewart said that he expected that the official announcement of the UN Envoy in Cyprus from the Secretary-General would come very soon.

“The Secretary-General sees this appointment as crucial. It does not signal, of course, the start of new negotiations, but it is an important step in trying to see if a path can be found for a mutually-acceptable way forward, and it will certainly increase the focus on the Cyprus issue over the coming months”, he said.

He added that in the meantime the UN will continue to work with the two sides to increase cooperation and improve the climate, which is essential, to support the efforts of the envoy. Stewart urged everyone present in the reception to redouble efforts in supporting the leaders in finding a way out of the current impasse.

He added that weekly meetings with the Greek Cypriot Negotiator Menelaos Menalaou and the Turkish Cypriot Special Representative Günes Onar have seen remarkable progress, with agreements on seven new projects in recent weeks. Additionally, he said that previously inactive Technical Committees on humanitarian matters and education have resumed their work, contributing to the revitalisation of technical committees.

Looking ahead to 2024, he said that anticipation surrounds the conclusion of a feasibility study for a bi-communal solar plant in the buffer zone, a potential confidence-building initiative. He added that efforts will also focus on inclusivity across technical committees, especially with youth and women.

He added that as the UN marks 60 years of presence in Cyprus, events will commemorate the contributions of over 150,000 personnel from 40 countries who have served in Cyprus since 1964, honouring also the 186 fallen peacekeepers.

“Various events will be organised on and around March 4th and we will have some of the veterans and our former envoys join us. This of course will not be a celebration, but rather a somber reminder that the long-standing Cyprus issue still remains unresolved”, he added.

Stewart acknowledged the challenging regional landscape but expressed optimism in positive developments between Greece and Turkey. He emphasised that while some consider the Cyprus issue a “frozen conflict,” dissatisfaction with the status quo suggests potential volatility. Positive developments in the region, he noted, especially the bilateral rapprochement between Greece and Turkey, could set an example and create a positive momentum on the island.

In conclusion, he said that they anticipated the arrival of a new UN envoy, it was crucial to recognise that while the primary responsibility for the future of Cyprus rests with its people and leaders, collective efforts play an indispensable role. He urged everyone in the room to intensify their focus and redouble efforts in supporting the two leaders as they navigate the challenges and seek a path out of the current impasse.

“Now, more than ever, is the time for collective action and commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for Cyprus”, he said.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion. Numerous peace talks under the UN aegis with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results. The latest round of talks took place in the summer of 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.