Statement by EU Commissioner Rehn on the UN Security Council Consultations on Cyprus

Following the United Nations Security Council consultations yesterday, Olli Rehn, European Commissioner responsible for Enlargement made the following statement:

"The European Commission fully supports the efforts of the United Nations to further the reunification process in Cyprus.

Earlier I welcomed the Agreement that was reached on July 8 during the mission of Undersecretary-General Ibrahim Gambari at his meeting with the leaders of the two communities, Tassos Papadopoulos and Mehmet Ali Talat. The agreed set of principles and the decision by the two leaders to commence the Technical Committees on day-to-day issues and the expert bi-communal working groups on substantive issues constitute an important and promising step forward.

By the end of July, as foreseen, representatives of the two communities had exchanged lists of issues to be discussed. The list must now be finalized without further delay to allow substantive discussions to begin quickly.

Positive results will benefit both communities directly and will help prepare the ground for the resumption of talks on a comprehensive settlement using the good offices of the UN Secretary-General. Progress in the reunification process in Cyprus is in the interest of the wider international community."

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• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions (22/1/2007)
• Statement by EU Commissioner Rehn on removal of Ledra Street bridge, Cyprus (29/12/2006)
• EU Presidency statement on efforts towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue under UN auspices  (12/12/2006)
• Statement by Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Enlargement, on outcome of visit of UN Undersecretary General Ibrahim Gambari to Cyprus (10/7/2006)
• Statement by EU Commissioner Rehn on Turkey's Cyprus initiative  (24/1/2006)