The status of the buffer zone and the terms of reference of the peacekeeping force within it are reaffirmed through the Republic of Cyprus' understanding with the UN peacekeeping force and the Security Council's official position, said Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Tuesday during a briefing for journalists at the Presidential Palace.
He also said that the appointment of an envoy for the Cyprus problem by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres may come in the coming period and recommended patience on the matter.
Referring to the start of work in the Pyla area in accordance with the provisions of the agreed Memorandum of Understanding, the Government Spokesperson said that "the work is being carried out in coordination with the UN peacekeeping force and at this stage involves the levelling and paving of roads."
He reiterated that "as the Cypriot Government we will work with sincere political will to implement the provisions of the Understanding which provide for the urban and residential development of the area as desired by the residents, for the benefit of all the residents of Pyla, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, but also create conditions for peaceful and creative coexistence".
"We look forward to the same good faith implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding by all parties involved", Letymbiotis continued, adding that the Cypriot Government remains firmly committed to the resumption of negotiations from where they have been interrupted on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles and values for finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, and reiterated that the appointment of an envoy by the UN Secretary General will be an important step in this direction.
Asked what will be done about Turkish Cypriots who want to develop their properties in Pyla and where they can obtain building and planning permits, the Spokesperson, after stating that there will be more information on this specific issue, said that there are already arrangements under the laws governing the Republic of Cyprus for the residential development of the area, in line with the land development which has already started.
He noted that "possibly at this point the community of Pyla may have some increased powers and duties but it will be under the laws governing the Republic of Cyprus".
Responding to another question, the Government Spokesperson said that through the Republic of Cyprus' understanding with the UN peacekeeping force and through the Security Council's official position, the status of the buffer zone and terms of reference of the peacekeeping force within it are reaffirmed.
He pointed out that the peacekeeping force has, on the basis of its terms of reference, the task of supervising and being able to coordinate the effective implementation of the provisions of the Understanding.
Asked how much discussions held with Turkey on this issue have helped in the implementation of what has been agreed, Letymbiotis said that this has its own significance in terms of the implementation of the provisions by the occupying regime.
On the issue of the appointment of an UNSG envoy and whether Nicosia had been consulted on the appointment of a specific person, the Government Spokesperson said he was not aware of any such development. 'What I do know is what the President has conveyed in the recent meeting he had with the Secretary-General at the Peace Summit, that the appointment of an envoy as soon as possible will be a significant development," he added.
Asked if Guterres has come up with a specific person, the Spokesperson said he could not comment on behalf of the UN Secretary General, adding that based on the information available, "we expect there will be developments in the coming period."
"We believe and appreciate that the appointment of an envoy on the part of the Secretary-General - who, like all members of the Security Council, is bound by Security Council resolutions - as soon as possible will be a positive, a significant development in terms of efforts to resume negotiations," Letymbiotis stressed.
The Spokesperson also noted that the President of the Republic himself has repeatedly noted that this appointment by the SG will be a first important step for EU level processes as well. "The discussion on Euro-Turkish relations, as is known, has been postponed to the December European Council, until which the diplomatic contacts of the President of the Republic will continue," he added.
Asked whether the crisis in the region affects developments in the Cyprus issue, Letymbiotis said that a crisis in the wider region further highlights the role of Cyprus "as a pillar of security and stability. It is no coincidence that as the Republic of Cyprus we have responded within the framework of the ESTIA plan - and I mention this as an example - to most of the requests from countries to date, since the day this plan was implemented."
"We remain focused on the supreme national issue, which is the Cyprus problem, and we are trying to speed up as much as we can the processes for the resumption of negotiations," he said.
Asked whether the President will announce a new confidence building measures or unilateral measures for the Turkish Cypriots in case an envoy is appointed, Letymbiotis said that the measures for Turkish Cypriots to improve their daily life are ready, they have been assessed, the package of measures has been prepared. "The President of the Republic will evaluate the most appropriate time when these will be announced," he noted.
Source: Cyprus News Agency