Conference on Cyprus reconvenes in Crans-Montana

CRANS-MONTANA, 28 June 2017 - The Conference on Cyprus officially reconvened this morning at the Centre de Congrès le Régent in Crans-Montana, in Switzerland. The Conference, held under the auspices of the United Nations, opened with the participation of the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Akıncı, and the guarantor powers, represented by Greek Foreign Minister Mr. Nikos Kotzias, Turkish Foreign Minister Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and the UK’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Mr. Jonathan Allen. The day’s deliberations are facilitated by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, and the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Mr. Espen Barth Eide. The EU, present as an observer, is represented by Mr. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission. A welcome dinner in Crans-Montana on 27 June was attended by conference participants, and among others, Ms. Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, British Foreign Secretary Mr. Boris Johnson and the UK's Minister of State for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan The Conference aims to make progress in the chapter on security and guarantees, an essential element in reaching an overall agreement and in building trust between the two communities in relation to their future security. In parallel, bi-communal negotiations will continue on all other outstanding issues, starting with territory, property and governance and power-sharing. In a statement on 27 June 2017, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his steadfast commitment to supporting this effort, and urged all participants to demonstrate the will and leadership required to conclude a comprehensive settlement. “The opportunity for the reunification of Cyprus is now finally before us,” the Secretary-General said. “I call on all concerned players to seize this opportunity, for Cyprus first and foremost, but also for the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.”