Iran Calls for Continued Negotiations to Resolve Cyprus Issue

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Tehran believes that the sides’ agreements reached over the past two years on different issues have the adequate capacity to push for further negotiations until the achievement of a final agreement.

“That should not be overlooked,” Qassemi said.

He called on the three guarantor states and the international community to resume negotiations to help establish peace and stability in the region through the continuation of efforts to reach a deal on the Cyprus issue.

“The final solution to this age-old stalemate in Cyprus must be based on established international principles and an agreement among the parties and preservation of all citizens’ rights as well as the respect for the island’s cultural diversity,” he added.

The Iranian spokesperson also hailed efforts made by leaders of the opposite sides, the United Nations and senior officials of the European Union.

As regards Tehran’s stance on the issue, Qassemi once again expressed Iran’s readiness to help resolve the conflict and said talks to find a win-win solution would be the best way to that end.

The latest efforts to reunify the two Cypruses collapsed on Friday as the conflicting sides failed to narrow their differences and reach a compromise. The talks started in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana on June 28 and were regarded as the best chance to end the island's 40-year division.