The UN special envoy for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide told Greek media- following talks with Greek government officials- that he is optimistic for a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year.
The surprising response came after he was asked by Greek media to comment on the UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon’s statement earlier this year that a solution could be reached by the end of the year.
“Yes I think it’s possible, it’s ambitious, if they are to reach this goal we need to work hard because we have outstanding issues, but we also have so much behind us that I think is possible,” he said. “The conversations we’re discussing in Athens is exactly about the issue of security, guarantees and how to involve the guarantor powers when we come to the moment when the international dimension will be on the table.”
Eide was asked about the contentious issue of property settlement and ownership in the occupied north and responded that all parties have come a long way in this sensitive area of negotiations, agreeing in principle on many points.
Asked about Cyprus’ right to explore its offshore resources, Eide said: “Any sovereign state has the right to explore its natural resources … but experience from modern history shows that conflict and energy mix badly. So if there is one good argument for seeking a solution it is the peaceful and long-term, stable exploitation of energy.”
He also said the attempted coup in Turkey brought no change in the position of two sides on the Cyprus issue. If anything it served “as a reminder of a neighbourhood that you can’t take for granted and you better get this problem solved,” he said, noting he’s also referring to the refugee crisis and collapse of states in the region.
