President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday briefed party leaders and former presidents about his recent meeting with the UN secretary-general’s representative Jane Holl Lute.
During the four-hour meeting Anastasiades also informed them on the latest developments on energy issues.
The aim was also for Anastasiades to consult with them about the possibility of recommencing with settlement negotiations.
Disy head, Averof Neophytou, speaking after the meeting called for a unified front and said that it was too soon to draw conclusions from Lute’s visit, as she has yet to visit the guarantors – Greece, Turkey, UK – on the issue of security. This, he said, was the most basic aspect of the Cyprus problem. One must also wait for Turkey’s political position on the matter, he said.
“We support the president in his effort for a recommencement of the talks based on the basic principles of seeking a solution according to UN resolutions and decisions of the Security Council for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality and respect of human rights,” Neophytou said.
He added there was no plan B as there is only one Cyprus: “We need to try through dialogue to do what’s humanly possible to reunite it.”
The political leaders were also informed on the latest developments in the government’s energy programme by Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis. On energy issues, he was to brief the leaders the increased interest of companies, the cooperation of energy companies, Total and ENI, as well as the next actions in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
Lute was in Cyprus last week and met Anastasiades as well as Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to explore the possibility of a resumption of the peace procedure. She flew back to New York after the meetings but is also expected to visit Greece, Turkey and Britain before submitting a report to the UNSG in September.
Very little has been said about the meetings in Nicosia last week, Lute avoiding any public comment during her visit.
On Monday, Lute met with Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu. The minister tweeted following the meeting: “We shared our vision on the settlement of the Cyprus issue with Ms. Lute, the official assigned by the UN secretary-general.”
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