STATEMENT TO THE PRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AFTER A BRIEFING BY THE SPECIAL ADVISER OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON CYPRUS, Mr. ALVARO DE SOTO

12 December, 2001

The President of the Security Council, Ambassador of Mali Moctar Quane read the following statement to the Press after Council members heard a briefing from the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus Mr. Alvaro de Soto:

 "Council members heard a briefing from Alvaro de Soto, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, today. Mr. de Soto briefed Council members on the agreement reached by the two leaders on 4 December to begin direct talks in Cyprus, at the invitation of the Secretary-General in the exercise of his mission of good offices. They also had before them a letter from the Secretary-General dated 7 December, in which he informed them that the talks would begin on 16 January 2002.

Council members welcome this and other positive developments, and hope that progress will be achieved at the negotiating table resulting in a comprehensive settlement.

Council members gave their full support to the Secretary General's mission of good offices, conducted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1250, and encouraged the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser to continue to be of assistance to the parties as appropriate" 

* * * * *

Back