UN Sec Gen Special envoy Colin Stewart: “UN efforts to reach consensus on both sides in Cyprus will continue”

UN Sec Gen Special envoy Colin Stewart: “UN efforts to reach consensus on both sides in Cyprus will continue” The UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cyprus and Chief of Mission of the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) in Cyprus Colin Stewart, said that despite the difficulties, there is much potential to resolve the Cyprus problem and that the United Nations will not abandon its efforts to bring both sides together on the island. Colin Stewart spoke at the "End of Year Reception" at Ledra Palace on Wednesday. The Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis attended the informal reception hosted by Colin Stewart at a social meeting. Canadian diplomat Colin Stewart, who delivered a speech at the event, thanked the two leaders for attending the reception. Stewart said that the event was an opportunity to thank everyone that has worked with the UN over the past year. “This is an end-of-year reception. I would like to thank the co-chairs and coordinators of the technical committees from both sides, as well as the TC leaders Special Representative Ergün Olgun and Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou for their dedication to efforts to find common ground over the past year.” Speaking highly of the technical committees, Stewart said he appreciated the work displayed by the technical committees to find common ground. Stating that there were some difficulties experienced in the past year, Stewart said he wanted to focus on the gains achieved during the event, adding that a series of achievements were attained. Referring to the confidence-building measures or cooperation proposals put forward recently by both sides, Stewart said “These proposals include new ideas about common challenges and potential mutual benefits.” Stating that elements of these proposals were discussed during his meetings with the Special Representative of the Turkish Cypriot side and the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side, Stewart said that they were continuing talks to seek the possibility of finding a common ground.

Also referring to the importance of crossing points between the two sides for the people and economic purposes, Stewart said that although there are some improvements regarding congestion, he agreed with Tatar that they would like to see more progress. “As in the past, the majority of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots believe that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together peacefully, and more than 70 per cent of both sides of the island want to see some kind of a negotiated agreement,” Stewart pointed out. He said that there is a great deal of potential to solve the problem adding that the United Nations will not give up its efforts for both sides to reach a consensus. Concluding his speech, Stewart expressed the hope of continuing cooperation in the New Year and pointed to the importance, as stated at this evening's reception, that the path to dialogue is kept open by both leaders despite the differences and difficulties. Stewart said that with the support of the two leaders of the island they will continue to hold weekly meetings with leaders' representatives and maintain support to the technical committees.

Stating that they have successfully concluded the pre-feasibility study on waste management of electronic and electronic equipment and now they are turning to the implementation stage, Stewart said that this study, which is the result of the initiative of the Technical Committee on Economic and Commercial Issues, will have significant benefits for the people on both sides of the island. Pointing out that the Committee also plays a "key role" in increasing the trade volume under the Green Line Regulation, Stewart stated that this year, within the scope of the regulation trade is expected to reach record numbers.