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UN chief urges resumption of Cyprus peace talks

24 October 2014 03:40 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday called on parties in Cyprus to return to negotiations which were suspended after tensions arise due to dispute over energy exploitation, APA reports quoting AP.

Ban made the remarks while meeting with his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, who briefed him on the latest developments in Cyprus and the immediate region.

Expressing concern over the tensions that have arisen in relation to hydrocarbons and over the suspension of negotiations, the UN chief "stressed the need for all concerned parties to de- escalate the situation, so as to avoid any further instability in an already volatile region," UN spokesperson's office said.

Ban underscored the need for the parties in Cyprus to "return to the negotiating table without delay," and further called on countries of the region to help create a conducive environment for productive talks.

He noted that, as both leaders have stated, "the two communities can ill afford to perpetuate the status quo, in particular in light of the deteriorating regional context."

The Secretary-General also recalled the commitment made by the two leaders in September to accelerate the negotiating process.

The island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after Turkish military intervened and controlled the north of Cyprus following a coup on the island by the military junta then ruling Greece.

Since then, Ankara has not recognized the Republic of Cyprus and over the past two years has objected to the Greek Cypriot's gas search plans.

The estranged Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities resumed UN- brokered peace negotiations in February after a two-year break. The leaders then agreed on Sept. 17 to enter a pre-final stage of their negotiations to reunite the eastern Mediterranean island.