Comprehensive solution needed for Cyprus, says diplomat

VGP - Việt Nam welcomes an agreement reached on June 26 between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the opening of the Liminitis-Yesilirmak buffer zone crossing, said the Vietnamese representative to the UN at a UN Security Council’s consultation meeting on Cyprus in New York on Wednesday.

December 10, 2009 1:11 PM GMT+7

A corner of the Ladra Street, Cyprus

Ambassador Bùi Thế Giang emphasized that the agreement is an important move in promoting mutual trust between the two communities and provide them with a new impetus to push the negotiations forward with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement of the

Cyprus

problem and reuniting the divided island.

The Vietnamese diplomat acknowledged certain tangible results in maintaining regular meetings between political party leaders and representatives of both communities on many key issues and the establishment of economic, social, cultural and sport contacts between the sides.

He said that these moves should be encouraged and further enhanced in substantive ways that promote the implementation of trust-building measures and the second phase of the reconstruction of buildings at the Ledra Street crossing.

The Ambassador called on the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to further show their flexibility and active involvement in constructive and open negotiations for the achievement of the common objective of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality in a united Cyprus.

Mr. Giang highly valued the enduring efforts made by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in maintaining stability in the buffer zone and its vital role in cultivating the reunification process.

He reconfirmed Việt Nam’s support for the UN Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for another six-month period, until June 15, 2010.

By Phương Hạnh