Final Communique
of the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau
of the Non-Aligned Movement
Cartagena, Colombia
18-21 May 1998

Extracts on Cyprus

May 22, 1998


The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation reaffirmed all previous positions and declarations of the Non-Aligned Movement on the question of Cyprus and expressed deep concern and disappointment over the fact that no progress has been achieved in the search for a just and viable solution due to the Turkish intransigence and the attempt of the Turkish side to introduce pre-conditions to the two rounds of direct negotiations, held in July and August 1997, between he President of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader, at the United Nations Secretary-General's initiative.

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation reiterated their support for the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and their solidarity with the people and the Government of Cyprus. They called once again for the withdrawal of all occupation forces and settlers, the return of the refugees to their homes in conditions of safety, the restoration of and respect for human rights of all Cypriots and the accounting for all missing persons.

While reiterating their positions that the present status quo in Cyprus, created and maintained by the use of force, is unacceptable, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation underlined the importance and urgency for the effective implementation of all UN resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 365 (1974), 541 (1983), 550 (1984) and 939 (1994), and to that end, for the Security Council to take resolute action and appropriate measures including the holding of an international conference and the demilitarization of Cyprus, as repeatedly proposed by the President of Cyprus. They expressed grave concern about recent continuous Turkish threats of use of force against Cyprus and integration of the occupied territory by Turkey and deplored threats by the Turkish side that it will not attend any new round of talks unless the purported state in the occupied territory is recognized. They condemn the declared attempts of the Turkish side for a change of the basis of the intercommunal dialogue under the mandate of the United Nations Secretary-General. They consider such demands contrary to the relevant UN resolutions, the Non-Aligned Declarations and the principles of international law and call for their withdrawal.

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and heads of Delegation expressed their concern at the continuing lack of political will on the part of the Turkish side, as confirmed by the report of the United Nations Secretary-General (document S/1994/629, dated 30 May 1994), they reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Secretary-General's efforts for a just, comprehensive and workable solution, as provided in paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 939 (1994) and decided to request the contact group of Non-Aligned countries to remain seized of the situation and actively support such effects.

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