British News Agency

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed his commitment to the pursuit of peace and a solution on the island during his contacts in Cyprus.

Stating that he had seen a willingness for a solution on both sides, Guterres said: "During this visit as well, I saw the determination among Cypriots to build a peaceful and shared future. The message they gave me was very clear: They want progress. They want an agreement to resolve the Cyprus issue. That was also the spirit of my open and constructive discussions, both separately and together."

Drawing attention to the role of the guarantor countries in ensuring the success of an agreement, Guterres said: "We also agreed, together with the guarantors of both sides, to work jointly for the successful implementation of the agreement."

Emphasizing the critical role of the UN Peacekeeping Force on the island, Guterres said: "The mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force on the ground must be respected. For more than 60 years, the peacekeeping force has established and preserved peace in an extremely sensitive area of the island."

Referring to the importance of the support of the international community and the guarantor countries, Guterres concluded: "The international community also has an important role to play regarding Cyprus. I am particularly grateful for the support of the three guarantor countries: Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom."