UN hosts meeting with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot negotiators
26 August 2014
The United Nations confirmed today that Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators met today in Nicosia to discuss
arrangements for the upcoming meeting of the leaders from the two sides.
“Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Kudret Özersay met today in the United
Nations Protected Area,” said the spokesperson for the Secretary General’s Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.
The negotiators exchanged views on methodology and the way forward in preparation for the upcoming leaders’ meeting
which will be held on 2 September 2014, said the spokesperson.
“The UN will hold bilateral meetings with both negotiators in the coming days to continue the preparations for the
leaders’ meeting,” he added.
Today’s negotiator’s meeting comes after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week appointed Espen Barth Eide of Norway as his new Special Adviser on Cyprus.
Mr. Eide will assume the position formerly held by Alexander Downer of Australia, who stepped down as his Special
Adviser in April 2014.
According to a statement from Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, Mr. Eide, a seasoned diplomat, brings to the position a deep
understanding of peace processes and peacemaking. Mr. Eide was previously Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway
(2012-2013) and also served in other senior positions during his 10 years in the Norwegian Government, including as
Minister of Defence (2011-2012).
Mr. Eide currently serves as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum in Geneva.
The UN has been facilitating talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership, with a view to the eventual
establishment of a federal government with a single international personality, consisting of a Turkish Cypriot
Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, each of equal status.
The UN also maintains a peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, which was deployed in 1964, when inter-communal
fighting erupted on the Mediterranean island.
ENDS