NEW YORK - United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Friday that he really believed that, after forty years, a political settlement was at last in reach.
Annan held a press conference which he started by saying, ''good morning, ladies and gentlemen - or good evening to those of you watching in Cyprus.''
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan went on saying, ''indeed, I believe it is a very good evening for Cyprus. We have not yet solved the problem, but I really believe that, after forty years, a political settlement is at last in reach, provided both sides summon the necessary political will.''
''But first let me congratulate both leaders - Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. Denktas - on the courage and political will they have both shown in the last three days, which has allowed me to take the decision to resume negotiations next week. And let me also thank the governments of Greece and Turkey for the very constructive role they have both played,'' Annan noted.
Annan added, ''a lot of hard work is still needed, and there are still tough questions ahead. But if all concerned show the same courage and goodwill during the next three months that they have shown in the last three days, I believe there is now a real chance that, before the first of May, Cyprus will be reunited.''
After reading the statement on Cyprus, Annan thanked in Turkish and Greek.
(BRC) 13.02.2004